An Analytical Model of the Effect of Sibling Relationships on Children's Socio-Emotional Competence: Based on the OECD Six-Dimensional Framework

Main Article Content

Yating Fan
Donghua University, Shanghai 310000, China

Wanying Zhang
Tianjin Foreign Studies University, Tianjin 300270, China

Gaodong Duan
Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 430100, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.70267/g3k03r30

Keywords

sibling relationships, socioemotional competence, parenting strategies, OECD framework

Abstract

To explore the complex relationship between the four dimensions of sibling relationships and the six-dimensional framework of socioemotional competence, including its subdimensions, a comprehensive and meticulous study was carried out. Socioemotional competence is one of the fundamental core literacies for young people in the new era and a driving factor in shaping life achievements. With the steady implementation of the three-child policy, the family structure is undergoing profound changes, and the number of multichild families is increasing daily. Against this backdrop, the significance of sibling relationships has become increasingly prominent. During the study, a wealth of existing information and data was sifted through and deeply analysed within the context of the OECD multidimensional framework. Ultimately, the study constructed a detailed analytical model of the effects of the subdimensions of sibling relationships on the subdimensions of socioemotional competence and arrived at specific and feasible parenting strategies to address sibling relationships: 1) sibling warmth should be promoted; 2) sibling conflict should be correctly navigated; 3) benign sibling rivalry should be facilitated; and 4) reciprocal interactions of equal rights of siblings should be fostered. This study not only has significant practical implications for promoting the holistic development of individuals, optimizing family parenting arrangements, and fostering harmonious social progress but also enriches the theoretical framework of socioemotional competence, offering new perspectives and a foundation for future research on multichild families.

Abstract 15 | PDF Downloads 7

References

  • Adler, A. (1932). What life should mean to you. Little, Brown.
  • Bian, S. Q., Tian, T., Li, J., Song, J., Zhang, D., Zhang G, X., Shen M, M., Yuan, H., Chen, Y., Zhong F, Y., & Hu Y, F. (2020). Analysis on the influencing factors of sibling relationship among the firstborn children in preschool. Chinese Journal of Woman and Child Health Research, (8), 1035–1039.
  • Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and loss. Random House.
  • Brody, G. H., Stoneman, Z., & McCoy, J. K. (2017). Contributions of family relationships and child temperaments to longitudinal variations in sibling relationship quality and sibling relationship styles. In R. Zukauskiene (Ed.), Interpersonal development (pp. 449–461). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351153683-27
  • Buhrmester, D., & Furman, W. (1990). Perceptions of sibling relationships during middle childhood and adolescence. Child Development, 61(5), 1387–1387. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130750
  • Buist, K. L., Deković, M., & Prinzie, P. (2013). Sibling relationship quality and psychopathology of children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(1), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CPR.2012.10.007
  • Buist, K. L., Verhoeven, M., Hoksbergen, R., ter Laak, J., Watve, S., & Paranjpe, A. (2017). Associations of perceived sibling and parent-child relationship quality with internalizing and externalizing problems: Comparing Indian and Dutch early adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 37(8), 1163–1190. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431616653473
  • Chen, B. B., Wang, Y., Liang, J., & Tong, L. (2016). And baby makes four: Biological and psychological changes and influential factors of firstborn's adjustment to transition to siblinghood. Advances in Psychological Science, 24(6), 863–873. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1042.2016.00863
  • Chen F, Y., Cao X, J., & Tang, R. (2023). The influence of authoritarian parenting to academic self-efficacy among primary school students: The mediating role of sibling relationship. Journal of Mudanjiang Normal University (Social Sciences Edition), (4), 85–93. https://doi.org/10.13815/j.cnki.jmtc(pss).2023.04.004
  • Chung, M., & Harris, C. R. (2018). Jealousy as a specific emotion: The dynamic functional model. Emotion Review, 10(4), 272–287. https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073918795257
  • Diao J, X., Qing Y, X., & Liao Q, M. (2020). Research on the influencing factors and countermeasures of college students' jealousy. Theoret Res Pract Innov Entrepr, 3(16), 146–149.
  • Dong, Y. H. (2018). Neglected family relationships: The influence of sibling relationships on individual psychological and behavioral development. China Social Sciences Press.
  • Elias, M. J., Zins, J. E., Weissberg, R. P., Frey, K. S., Greenberg, M. T., Haynes, N. M., & Shriver, T. P. (1997). Promoting social and emotional learning: Guidelines for educators. CASEL.
  • Fang, Y. Y. (2018). A case study on sibling interaction in two-child families [Master's thesis, Nanjing Normal University]. CNKI. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=JtACmXrF2711s4EVx4IpR0QxRHNsZqUaTysrnghQ46KRD9lkBHYQ21AkvLFsm-IGdjTKVIbyhSmrgmV7sDNVyR7Dmqq7nn5QZ4HfjKLThdpNJd8fdCyzAa4_g4_LMnYXWB20VmfzLwBH9toIKI_HnbbplAN9Wfi_EY7u7zqa0UnU7mGb6vRlh3aOrZG8LeH_OWwwHegKq41M=&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
  • Feinberg, M. E., McHale, S. M., Crouter, A. C., & Cumsille, P. (2003). Sibling differentiation: Sibling and parent relationship trajectories in adolescence. Child Development, 74(5), 1261–1274. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00606
  • Fenwick, J., Gamble, J., Creedy, D., Barclay, L., Buist, A., & Ryding, E. L. (2013). Women's perceptions of emotional support following childbirth: A qualitative investigation. Midwifery, 29(3), 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MIDW.2011.12.008
  • Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1985). Children's perceptions of the qualities of sibling relationships. Child Development, 56(2), 448–461. https://doi.org/10.2307/1129733
  • Gong, Y. (2024). A study of the effect of quality of sibling relationships on pro-social behavior among young children in families [Master's thesis, Tarim University]. CNKI. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.27708/d.cnki.gtlmd.2024.000101
  • Hakvoort, E. M., Bos, H. M. W., Van Balen, F., & Hermanns, J. M. A. (2010). Family relationships and the psychosocial adjustment of school-aged children in intact families. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 171(2), 182–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221321003657445
  • Hamilton, W. D. (1964). The genetical evolution of social behaviour. II. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 7(1), 17–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-5193(64)90039-6
  • Hansla, A., Gamble, A., Juliusson, A., & Gärling, T. (2008). The relationships between awareness of consequences, environmental concern, and value orientations. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JENVP.2007.08.004
  • Healey, M. D., & Ellis, B. J. (2007). Birth order, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. Tests of the family-niche model of personality using a within-family methodology. Evolution and Human Behavior, 28(1), 55–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EVOLHUMBEHAV.2006.05.003
  • Howe, N., Porta, S. D., Recchia, H., & Ross, H. (2016). "Because if you don't put the top on, it will spill": A longitudinal study of sibling teaching in early childhood. Developmental Psychology, 52(11), 1832–1842. https://doi.org/10.1037/DEV0000193
  • Howe, N., & Recchia, H. E. (2008). Siblings and sibling rivalry. Encyclopedia of Infant and Early Childhood Development, Three-Volume Set, 3, 154–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-012370877-9.00145-6
  • Huang H, J., Liu S, Y., Zhou Y, Q., & Xu L, X. (2024). Birth order effect on social-emotional competence in young children: Mediating effect of mothers' parenting sense of competence. Department of Psychology, (3), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.13837/j.issn.1006-8309.2024.03.0006
  • Isaacs, D. (2016). Sibling rivalry. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 52(11), 977–978. https://doi.org/10.1111/JPC.13385
  • Karos, L. K., Howe, N., & Aquan-Assee, J. (2007). Reciprocal and complementary sibling interactions, relationship quality and socio-emotional problem solving. Infant and Child Development, 16(6), 577–596. https://doi.org/10.1002/ICD.492
  • Kennedy, D. E., & Kramer, L. (2008). Improving emotion regulation and sibling relationship quality: The more fun with sisters and brothers program. Family Relations, 57(5), 567–578. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1741-3729.2008.00523.X
  • Khadjavi, M., & Nicklisch, A. (2018). Parents’ ambitions and children's competitiveness. Journal of Economic Psychology, 67, 87–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOEP.2018.05.004
  • King, L., Jolicoeur-Martineau, A., Laplante, D. P., Szekely, E., Levitan, R., & Wazana, A. (2021). Measuring resilience in children: A review of recent literature and recommendations for future research. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34(1), 10–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000663
  • Kramer, L., & Gottman, J. M. (1992). Becoming a sibling: "With a little help from my friends". Developmental Psychology, 28(4), 685–699. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.4.685
  • Kramer, L., & Ramsburg, D. (2002). Advice given to parents on welcoming a second child: A critical review. Family Relations, 51(1), 2–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1741-3729.2002.00002.X
  • Lam, C. B., Solmeyer, A. R., & McHale, S. M. (2012). Sibling relationships and empathy across the transition to adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41(12), 1657–1670. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10964-012-9781-8
  • Lei, Y. (2023). Study on the influence of "multi-child" family relationship on the social emotional ability of primary school students [Master's thesis, Zhejiang Normal University]. CNKI. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.27464/d.cnki.gzsfu.2023.000287
  • Liu, H. (2020). A study on the relationship between the sibling relationship of middle school students and the social perspective taking [Master's thesis, Hebei Normal University]. CNKI. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.27110/d.cnki.ghsfu.2020.000372
  • Liu, J. W., & Liu, A. S. (2008). The relationship between competition attitude and big five personality of undergraduates. China Journal of Health Psychology, (4), 382–385. https://doi.org/10.13342/j.cnki.cjhp.2008.04.051
  • Lorr, M. (1991). A redefinition of dominance. Personality and Individual Differences, 12(9), 877–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(91)90175-B
  • Miu, H. J., Huang, F., & Lin, M. (2020). The effect of psychoanalysis and psychological intervention on the treatment of sibling rivalry disorder. Fujian Medical Journal, (6), 113–115.
  • Perlman, M., Ross, H. S., & Garfinkel, D. A. (2009). Consistent patterns of interaction in young children's conflicts with their siblings. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 33(6), 504–515. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025409343745
  • Piotrowski, J. T. (2021). Sibling conflict and emotional adjustment: A longitudinal investigation. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(5), 1234–1245.
  • Pollet, T. V., Dijkstra, P., Barelds, D. P. H., & Buunk, A. P. (2010). Birth order and the dominance aspect of extraversion: Are firstborns more extraverted, in the sense of being dominant, than laterborns? Journal of Research in Personality, 44(6), 742–745. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JRP.2010.10.002
  • Qian, G., Li, R., Yang, W., Li, R., Tian, L., & Dou, G. (2021). Sibling jealousy and temperament: the mediating effect of emotion regulation in China during COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 729883.
  • Recchia, H. E., & Howe, N. (2009). Sibling relationship quality moderates the associations between parental interventions and siblings' independent conflict strategies and outcomes. Journal of Family Psychology, 23(4), 551–561. https://doi.org/10.1037/A0014980
  • Shanahan, L., McHale, S. M., Crouter, A. C., & Osgood, D. W. (2008). Linkages between parents' differential treatment, youth depressive symptoms, and sibling relationships. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(2), 480–494. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1741-3737.2008.00495.X
  • Su, L. Y. (2017). Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sibling rivalry disorder. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care, (3), 221–222+226.
  • Sulloway, F. J. (1996). Born to rebel: Birth order, family dynamics, and creative lives. Vintage.
  • Sulloway, F. J. (1999). Birth order. In M. Runco & S. R. Pritzker (Eds.), Encyclopedia of creativity (pp. 189–202). Elsevier Science.
  • Sun, L. H., & Zhang, A. R. (2018). An investigation into the sibling relationship under different family upbringing styles. Journal of Shanghai Educational Research, (8), 59–63. https://doi.org/10.16194/j.cnki.31-1059/g4.2018.08.014
  • Teti, D. M., & Ablard, K. E. (1989). Security of attachment and infant-sibling relationships: A laboratory study. Child Development, 60(6), 1519–1528. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130940
  • Tezer, E. (1999). The functionality of conflict behaviors and the popularity of those who engage in them. Adolescence, 34(134), 409–415.
  • Tucker, C. J., Finkelhor, D., & Turner, H. (2019). Patterns of sibling victimization as predictors of peer victimization in childhood and adolescence. Journal of Family Violence, 34(8), 745–755. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10896-018-0021-1
  • Wang, W. T. (2014). Relationship between sibling relationship and aloneness of senior high school students: The mediating role of peer relationship [Master's thesis, Ludong University]. CNKI. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=JtACmXrF271rjMxt_QZt3RGGOi_pycFTcr_xhdxd6Mvx4GU99sf-5tMTES_c9Lqhe9JI5D4tJUJT6zryYJca3OO5tSSrBeQyVTnkZkN0GaGgEf1c0PV0HzAw8ZclE9oGXeeVwm_RuRkr6u3WynV4cb8EEu_3NYMk8v6P_.vfmTyaKI85vwntth82uwNbuLKiWBtJQAXTuvdo=&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
  • Wang, X. L. (2021). The number of children, academic achievement and the shadow education acquisition of junior high school students-an empirical study of education tracking survey from China. Journal of Chinese Youth Social Science, (3), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.16034/j.cnki.10-1318/c.2021.03.012
  • Xu, L., Chen, S. H., Jin, X. Z., & Tian, P. P. (2020). Firstborn children's peer communication ability and its impact on sibling relationship in two-child family. Early Childhood Education (Educational Sciences), (9), 52–56.
  • Xuan, H. P. (2005). The conflict handling resolution of junior high school students and the related factors research [Master's thesis, Shanghai Normal University]. CNKI. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=JtACmXrF271Ld8mzqFY14vcSWjTrAJ5C1U6RWCrCgNJfI7TUHIs5gMVy9XrlrcTFukD2lNW2N5jbLltKac1LUAmh8PTpur59BzXHax9dAdNCsTLaD1Rmm58xYgXTaxnGYXglA2axU1iW6ypKecrqzf7VRdoxnUf0ju4it3hW-6jhphlyEln-DEyjXw7rEVzg&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS
  • Yan, M. R. (2022). The relationship between sibling relationship and prosocial behavior: The intermediary role of emotional regulation and peer relationship and its educational implications [Master's thesis, Henan University]. CNKI. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.27114/d.cnki.ghnau.2022.001908
  • Yuan, Z. F., Li, W. J., Li, Z. H., Song, S. C., Xie, R. B., & Ding, W. (2022). The association between family function and prosocial behavior of left-behind children: The mediating role of empathy. Chinese Journal of Applied Psychology, (6), 500–507.
  • Zhang, H. C. (2022). The characteristics and influencing factors of the social and emotional competence of the firstborns in the two-child families [Master's thesis, Inner Mongolia Normal University]. CNKI. https://link.cnki.net/doi/10.27230/d.cnki.gnmsu.2022.000268
  • Zhao, F., & Yu, G. (2017). Sibling relationship and its relation with children and adolescents' social development. Advances in Psychological Science, 25(5), 825–825. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1042.2017.00825

Article Sidebar

PDF
Published
Mar 18, 2025
Issue
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025)
Section
Research Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Fan, Y., Zhang, W. ., & Duan, G. . (2025). An Analytical Model of the Effect of Sibling Relationships on Children’s Socio-Emotional Competence: Based on the OECD Six-Dimensional Framework. Journal of Language, Culture and Education, 2(1), 24-36. https://doi.org/10.70267/g3k03r30