Abstract
Developmental research indicates that sibling relationships are linked to children’s cognitive and social adjustment (Cutting & Dunn, 2006; McAlister & Peterson, 2006). Past research has shown contradictory results with regard to the effects of sibling conflict on a child’s social development (Perlman, Ross, & Garfinkel, 2009). Some research suggests that children who are exposed to sibling conflict may develop more positive strategies to resolve conflict, and other research indicating that exposure to sibling conflict may create a learning environment for aggression (Downey & Condron, 2004; Kim, McHale, Crouter, & Osgood, 2007; Ram & Ross, 2008; Recchia & Howe, 2009a). Such contradiction may be explained by considering the nature of sibling conflict and the role of parents in their children’s interactions with each other (Allen, Porter, McFarland, McElhaney, & Marsh, 2007; Shanahan, Mchale, Crouter, & Osgood, 2008). Research indicates that parents tend to guide their children through relationship experiences, and that parental behaviors may be a significant factor in children’s social and cognitive development (Updegraff, Thayer, Whiteman, Denning, & McHale, 2005). These parental behaviors found in research include the quality of parent-child relationships, including parental differential treatment, the quality of parent’s marital relationships, as well as responses to sibling conflict (Allen, Porter, McFarland, McElhaney, & Marsh, 2007; Mchale, Crouter, McGuire, & Updegraff, 1995; Shanahan, Mchale, Crouter, & Osgood, 2008; Yu & Gamble, 2008). Parents may need to intervene or respond to their child’s conflict in order to promote higher social and conflict resolution skills (Kramer, Perozynski, & Chung, 1999; Randell & Peterson, 2009; Updegraff et al., 2005). Although a significant amount of research examines the correlations between sibling relationships, sibling conflict, parental involvement and parental response, there are currently no useful programs or guides to contribute to parental knowledge on the subject. Thus, the current website project was created to provide parents information on the importance sibling relationships and sibling conflict in children’s development, their role in their children’s relationships, and ways to respond to sibling conflict. The website was developed through Microsoft Publisherand evaluated by 5 parents. A discussion of limitations and improvements to the web site, as well as recommendations for future projects of this kind, are offered.