On the basis of social modeling theory and a sibling interaction hypothesis, it was hypothesized that specific relationship qualities between a pregnant or parenting teen and her younger sister would be associated with permissive younger sister outcomes, such as permissive childbearing attitudes and permissive sexual behavior. Results indicated that negative relationship qualities, such as rivalry, competition, and conflict, were more closely related to younger sisters engaging in problem delinquent-like behavior and sexual behavior than were positive relationship qualities, such as warmth and closeness. Additionally, a shared friendship network with the older sister was found to be associated with extensive younger sister problem behavior and sexual behavior. Three potential explanatory processes are discussed.
PIP: Numerous studies have found that the younger sisters of childbearing adolescents have a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of themselves becoming adolescent mothers. This finding is consistent with social modeling and behavioral theories positing that older siblings shape the sexual attitudes and norms of younger family members. The present study hypothesized that specific relationship qualities (positive and negative) between a pregnant or parenting teenager and her younger sister are associated with permissive younger sister outcomes. Enrolled in the study were 80 Black and Mexican-American younger sisters (mean age, 13.9 years) who completed a Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and measures of childbearing attitudes, school and career orientation, problem behaviors, sexual permissiveness, and sexual status. 31% had engaged in sexual intercourse at least once before the survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that high warmth and closeness between sisters was related to positive school and career goals and perceived older ideal ages for life transitions such as first intercourse and childbearing. However, the negative relationship qualities of rivalry, competition, and conflict were even more closely related to the probability that younger sisters would engage in delinquent-type activities and problematic sexual behaviors than positive relationship qualities. In addition, a shared friendship network with the older sister was associated with a substantial increase in behavioral problems in the younger sister. Additional research should be directed toward identifying the pathways of sibling influence.