To share or not to share: Parental, sibling, and situational influences on sharing with a younger sibling

  • Sheila R. Van Berkel
  • , Lotte D. Van Der Pol
  • , Marleen G. Groeneveld
  • , Elizabeth T. Hallers-Haalboom
  • , Joyce J. Endendijk
  • , Judi Mesman*
  • , Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Sharing is an important indicator of internalised prosocial values. We examined predictors of sharing of 302 preschoolers with their younger siblings in a one-year longitudinal study. Sharing was observed during different home visits, once with father and once with mother. We examined the following predictors: both children's externalising behaviour, observed parental sensitivity, and situational factors. Preschoolers' sharing was stable and increased with age. Preschoolers shared more when sharing was preceded by a structured interaction with a parent compared to free play with an unfamiliar adult. At age 4 they shared more in fathers' presence than in mothers' presence. Neither parental sensitivity nor child behaviour were related to sharing. These findings demonstrate stability and the importance of situational factors in the development of prosocial behaviour.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)235-241
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Development
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 4 May 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • externalising behaviour
  • prosocial development
  • sensitivity
  • sharing
  • siblings

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