Date of Award

5-2021

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Child Development

Department

Psychology

First Reader/Committee Chair

Kamptner, Laura

Abstract

Decades of research studies have underscored the significant impact siblings have on life outcomes. Those with successful (e.g., positive, close, supportive) sibling relationships experience benefits such as more competent social and emotional skills, healthier well-being, and increased life satisfaction compared to those with unsuccessful (e.g., negative, distant, conflictual) sibling relationships who tend to be less skilled in social situations, have lower emotional regulation skills, decreased psychological well-being, and report higher levels of loneliness in old age. The quality of sibling relationships is strongly associated with parental behaviors beginning in early childhood. However, there are few research-based resources available for parents seeking to reduce sibling conflict and rivalry, one of the most common parenting challenges. The purpose of this project was to create a four-session workshop to help parents foster positive, successful relationships among their children. Workshop topics included attachment security, parent-child interactions, differential treatment, strategies for sibling conflict and rivalry, positive guidance strategies for discipline, parental stress, parent-parent relationships, and fun family experiences. Pre- and post- workshop assessments found that participants showed an increase in their knowledge and confidence in applying the basic concepts covered in the workshop sessions. The results of this project suggest that this workshop would be beneficial not only for parents and caregivers, but also for clinical professionals, teachers, and others who work with children and families.

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