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Does the Quality of Sibling Relationships Moderate the Negative Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Wellbeing in Adulthood?

Schweitzer, Sarah M.
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1725-2904
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1659475861090137

Abstract Details

2022, Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, Psychology.
Over the past two decades, public health research has demonstrated that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with significant and prolonged physical and mental health problems (Campbell et al., 2016; Felitti et al., 1998; Gilbert et al., 2015; Greif Green et al., 2010; Horwitz et al., 2001; Mersky et al., 2013), demanding investigation into factors that may mitigate such poor outcomes. One potential factor that may attenuate the negative impact of ACEs on individuals’ mental health is social support. An important source of social support is sibling relationships (Furman & Buhrmester, 1985; Goetting, 1986; Lempers & Clark-Lempers, 1992; Scholte et al., 2001; Wellman & Wortley, 1989). The purpose of the current study was to examine if the perceived quality of sibling relationships may moderate the negative impact of ACEs on wellbeing in adulthood. Data was collected from a total of 439 participants (Mage = 35.06, SD = 11.20; 73.6% White or European American; 62.4% male). Results revealed that sibling relationships characterized by higher perceived warmth—and, interestingly, higher perceived conflict and rivalry—attenuated the negative impact of ACEs on wellbeing in adulthood. Additionally, higher ACE-IQ scores predicted lower wellbeing when participants’ overall sibling relationship was characterized by relatively high, but not low, perceived quality. Future research should consider the nuances in the measurement of conflict and rivalry in the context of sibling relationships, and conceptualize overall sibling relationship quality accordingly. Such research will help determine whether overall sibling relationship quality is a factor that can mitigate the negative impact of ACEs on wellbeing.
Tammy Sonnentag, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Kathleen Hart, Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member)
Stacey Raj, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
89 p.
Developmental Psychology; Families and Family Life; Health; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Public Health
ACEs; adverse childhood experiences; sibling relationships; siblings

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schweitzer, S. M. (2022). Does the Quality of Sibling Relationships Moderate the Negative Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Wellbeing in Adulthood? [Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1659475861090137

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schweitzer, Sarah. Does the Quality of Sibling Relationships Moderate the Negative Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Wellbeing in Adulthood? 2022. Xavier University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1659475861090137.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schweitzer, Sarah. "Does the Quality of Sibling Relationships Moderate the Negative Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Wellbeing in Adulthood?" Doctoral dissertation, Xavier University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=xupsy1659475861090137

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

xupsy1659475861090137
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This open access ETD is published by Xavier University Psychology and OhioLINK.