Quality of Sibling Relationships Impacts Depression, Risky Behaviors

Sibling relationship quality during the teen years may affect later depressive symptoms and involvement in risky behaviors, according to a new University of Missouri (MU) study involving teens of Mexican origin.

Latinos are the fastest-growing ethnic minority group in the U.S., and most are of Mexican origin. The Latino culture, more than others, places a high value on the family unit; yet, there has been minimal research on the dynamics of Latino family relationships and how those dynamics affect children’s development.

The researchers used in-home interview data from a multi-year study of 246 Mexican-origin families living in the U.S. They assessed the relationship qualities of pairs of siblings, who were about 12 to 15 years of age at the beginning of the study.

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