Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
As part of a longitudinal study, we examined sibling and friend-averted conflicts in semi-structured closed-field situations from early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. Observed conflicts are exchanges containing mutual opposition or provocation, whereas averted conflicts are oppositional physical or verbal behavior that the partner does not reciprocate. In extending this study to focus on averted conflicts, we expected that averted conflicts would be more frequent in sibling relationships than in friend relationships and decrease with an increase in age. Our data showed more averted conflicts for sibling pairs than friends at all three periods. Overall, there was an increase in averted conflicts from early to middle childhood but a decrease from middle childhood to adolescence. The reduction was more significant for siblings than for friends throughout development. Gender composition of the sibling pairs made some difference in the rate and affective intensity of averted conflicts with siblings and friends. Our results illuminate the multifaceted nature of conflict resolution in sibling and friend relationships, providing insights into developmental trajectories and contributing factors that shape these dynamics over time. This study illuminates the multifaceted nature of conflict resolution in sibling and friend relationships, providing valuable insights into the developmental trajectories and contributing factors that shape these dynamics over time.
Recommended Citation
Beltrani, Adele, "024-Averted Conflicts between Siblings and Friends in Childhood and Adolescence" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 8.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/8
024-Averted Conflicts between Siblings and Friends in Childhood and Adolescence
As part of a longitudinal study, we examined sibling and friend-averted conflicts in semi-structured closed-field situations from early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence. Observed conflicts are exchanges containing mutual opposition or provocation, whereas averted conflicts are oppositional physical or verbal behavior that the partner does not reciprocate. In extending this study to focus on averted conflicts, we expected that averted conflicts would be more frequent in sibling relationships than in friend relationships and decrease with an increase in age. Our data showed more averted conflicts for sibling pairs than friends at all three periods. Overall, there was an increase in averted conflicts from early to middle childhood but a decrease from middle childhood to adolescence. The reduction was more significant for siblings than for friends throughout development. Gender composition of the sibling pairs made some difference in the rate and affective intensity of averted conflicts with siblings and friends. Our results illuminate the multifaceted nature of conflict resolution in sibling and friend relationships, providing insights into developmental trajectories and contributing factors that shape these dynamics over time. This study illuminates the multifaceted nature of conflict resolution in sibling and friend relationships, providing valuable insights into the developmental trajectories and contributing factors that shape these dynamics over time.