Differential Parenting and Change in Sibling Differences in Delinquency.

This study examined the influence of differential parental hostility during early and middle adolescence on changes in differences in siblings' delinquency by middle to late adolescence. Information was obtained from 359 intact families participating in a longitudinal study of stress and family life. Difference scores based on adolescent reports of delinquent behaviors and observer ratings of parental hostility were used in a series of 2-wave, 2-variable models. The results suggest that both mother's and father's differential hostility had a significant effect on sibling differential delinquency at a later point in time after controlling for Time 1 differences in delinquency. The sibling treated in the most hostile fashion demonstrated relatively more delinquent behaviors at Time 2. The findings were mixed regarding the influence of sibling differential behavior on parental hostility across time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]