Associations between sibling relationship quality and daily interactions in early adolescence

Relationship theorists posit that children’s daily interactions with others are the foundation of their overall relationship quality (Hinde, 1979); however, few studies have tested this proposition. Warm sibling relationships have a positive impact on social-emotional adjustment, making it important to consider how the features of daily sibling interactions may be linked to positive sibling bonds. This study investigated the connection between global aspects of sibling relationship quality (i.e., warmth, conflict) and the focal child’s reports of their daily interactions with their sibling; the latter did not participate. Thirty-three early adolescents ( M age = 11.5 years; 14 girls, 19 boys) completed 14 daily diaries regarding positive (e.g., helping) and negative (e.g., fighting) sibling interactions. Participants completed the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (Furman & Buhrmester, 1985) to assess global levels of warmth and conflict. Results provide new insight into the dynamics of daily sibling interactions. For example, being happy with a sibling was most closely associated with global warmth and frequent daily helping was most strongly associated with lower global conflict. On days in which children reported more negative sibling interactions, they also reported fewer positive interactions. When participants reported behaving positively toward their sibling on any given day, they also reported their sibling reciprocated positive behaviors. Global warmth and conflict did not moderate these associations. Our findings help support the theoretical notion that daily interactions are linked, but not interchangeable, with relationship quality. Future research is warranted to further elucidate the forms and dynamics of daily interactions between siblings.