Inter-Parental Conflict and Sibling Warmth during Adolescence: Associations with Female Depression in Emerging Adulthood

Abstract

Grounded in Grych and Fincham's cognitive appraisal theory, this study examined whether female emerging adults' (N = 216) recalled sibling warmth moderated the relationship between exposure to inter-parental conflict in adolescence and their current depression. Findings indicated that sibling warmth moderated the relationship between the intensity and frequency of inter-parental conflict and depression, but not inter-parental conflict resolution. Compared to female emerging adults who reported lower sibling warmth, those who reported higher sibling warmth in the face of greater intensity and higher frequency of interparental conflict during adolescence had lower depression. The important role of siblings for youth from conflicted homes was highlighted.

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