Interparental Conflict Appraisals and Adolescents’ Maladaptation in Siblings: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate dyadic effects among siblings by testing an actor–partner interdependence model of associations between interparental conflict perceptions and children maladjustment. In particular, associations between siblings’ perceptions of interparental conflict properties, threat, and self-blame, and general, personal, school, and social maladjustment and adolescents’ family and sibling dissatisfaction were examined. The hypotheses of the study were analyzed through an Actor-Partner Interdependent Model. The sample was made up of 50 pairs of siblings recruited in Spain; older siblings’ mean age was 13.3 years (SD = 2.51) and younger siblings’ mean age was 10.4 years (SD = 2.33). The results emphasize the association between children’s and adolescents’ perception of interparental conflict and their own maladjustment (actor effect). However, the main novel contribution of this study is the analysis of partner effects for siblings in interparental conflict situations and the results highlight that they are greater for older siblings compared to younger siblings. Also, the results confirm the interdependency of siblings’ perceptions of interparental conflict properties, but also the independency of threat and self-blame feelings experienced by each sibling. Results and limitations of the study are discussed.