The Development of Empathic Concern in Siblings: A Reciprocal Influence Model

Marc Jambon, Sheri Madigan*, André Plamondon, Ella Daniel, Jennifer M. Jenkins

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study utilized actor–partner interdependence modeling to examine the bidirectional effects of younger (Mage = 18 months) and older siblings (Mage = 48 months) on later empathy development in a large (n = 452 families), diverse (42% immigrant) Canadian sample. Controlling for parenting, demographic characteristics, sibling relationship quality, and within-child stability in empathic concern, both younger and older siblings’ observed empathic concern uniquely predicted relative increases in the other's empathy over a period of 18 months. The strength of the partner effects did not differ by birth order. Sex composition moderated the younger sibling partner effect, whereas age gap moderated the older sibling partner effect. This study highlights the important role that siblings play in enhancing the development of care and concern for others.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1598-1613
Number of pages16
JournalChild Development
Volume90
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2019

Funding

FundersFunder number
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

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