Date

12-19-2023

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Kelly Gorbett

Keywords

jwinn3@liberty.edu

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Although sibling relationships and parental divorce are two popular areas of study, few research studies have focused on their relationship. In this quantitative study, the researcher explored the relationship between sibling relationship quality and parental divorce conflict, as well as the relationship between perceived sibling relationship quality during parental divorce and mental health in adulthood. The participant sample included 64 adults who experienced parental divorce in childhood with at least one sibling. Participants were required to complete a demographics questionnaire, the Post-Divorce Parental Conflict Scale (PPCS), the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (LSRS), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A Pearson’s r statistical test indicated that there was not a statistically significant relationship between post-divorce parental conflict and a high perceived sibling relationship quality, r(64) = .208, p=.099 (two- tailed). Similarly, another Pearson’s r test indicated that there was not a statistically significant relationship between sibling relationship quality as indicated by the LSRS and overall mental health symptoms as indicated by the GHQ-12, r(64) = -.264, p=.035 (two-tailed). While the original hypotheses were unsupported by statistics, a visual interpretation of the data suggests some themes that may be worth further exploration. The results of this study add to the current literature in siblings and divorce research as well as suggests a need for further study and evaluation of an understudied group of individuals. Keywords: sibling relationship, parental divorce conflict, mental health

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