An intervention to improve sibling relationship quality among youth in foster care: Results of a randomized clinical trial

Brianne H. Kothari, Bowen McBeath, Paul Sorenson, Lew Bank, Jeff Waid, Sara Jade Webb, Joel Steele

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sibling programming is an important part of a prevention framework, particularly for youth in foster care. After children are removed from their families and placed into foster care in the aftermath of maltreatment, the sibling relationship is often the most viable ongoing relationship available to the child, and may be critical to a youth's sense of connection, emotional support, and continuity. The promise of dyadic sibling programming in particular rests on the ability of interventions to enhance the quality of sibling relationships; yet little research exists that suggests that sibling interventions can improve relationship quality among foster youth. The primary aim of the current study was to examine the effects of a specific dyadic sibling-focused intervention for older and younger siblings on sibling relationship quality. One hundred sixty four dyads (328 youth) participated in the study, with each dyad consisting of an older sibling between 11 and 15 years of age at baseline and a younger sibling separated in age by less than 4 years. Hierarchical linear models were applied to self-reported, observer-reported and observational data over the 18-month study period. Findings suggest that the sibling intervention holds promise for improving sibling relationship quality among youth in foster care. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)19-29
Number of pages11
JournalChild Abuse and Neglect
Volume63
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [Grant No. R01 MH085438 ].

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Foster care
  • Intervention
  • Prevention
  • Siblings

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