studied 73
pairs of siblings between 3 and 6 years of age to assess the importance of age differences
in sibling conflict. The siblings were videotaped in a laboratory setting while the mother
filled out questionnaires concerning her marital relationship and their relationship with
her children. The results indicated that there was more negative behavior from older
siblings directed at younger siblings than reverse and negative sibling interactions were
linked with negative family interactions. Despite the relatively small age range, the
greater the space between siblings, the greater the warmth the young sibling gave to the
older siblings.
Sex differences also play an important role in sibling relations. Martin and Ross
(2005)