CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

This chapter presents different relevant literature and findings from various studies

concerning parental attention, sibling conflicts, and their relationship with each other. It also

presents a synthesis of all the works to fully understand the research problem and the

importance of the recent study.

Parental Attention

Parental care, together with the role it plays in improving the family environment and

child development, is a fundamental aspect of parenting. Research done by Joseph & John

(2015) states that parental attention is an important factor in the preparation of children for

cultural or subcultural expectations. This care involves different fields, from emotional support to

guidance and parental involvement in the children's lives.

At the very essence of the family structure is the bond between parents, as emphasized

by Aastha & Bathia (2014), who dedicate themselves to nurturing and maturing the upbringing

of the children. This dedication is signified by the family unit, in which fair distribution of parents'

attention amongst their children is just the foundation of their development and comfort. Parents

offer not only physical care but also emotional support for their children, creating a conducive

environment that meets their needs.

The growth of families through the birth of new children brings about changes in parental

attention as the dynamics of the family change. According to Lanthier (2015), each new child

brings a unique set of needs and personality traits, which must necessitate a change in

parenting techniques and the allocation of parenting resources. Parenting must be tailored to
meet the evolving needs of the family unit, as each child must receive the appropriate attention

and support that is individually planned for them.

Sibling relationships, built on comradeship and competition for parental attention, are

impacted by how the attention shared among siblings is being divided. Antti al et al. (2016)

demonstrated that children prioritize their parents, seeking love, appreciation, and recognition in

terms of their accomplishments. When parents actively participate in the communication of

siblings, positive relationships can develop, aiding in conflict resolution and fostering

cooperation.

Additionally, putting an end to sibling rivalry should be the proactive parents' goal,

allowing them to become the major center of parental attention. Leung et al. (2019) propose that

one may prevent feelings of jealousy and competitiveness among siblings by giving each child

personal time in turns and making sure that there is no comparison and any sense of favoritism

among them. Rather than this, they should be engaged in providing children with a sense of

equality and mutual respect, when each child feels appreciated and noticed by the adult.

Briefly stated, parental attention, according to numerous sources, holds the key position

in families, affecting a child's life and relationships within the family circle. Through regular

assistance, guidance, and participation, parents can form a loving place of growth where

children can thrive and become secure individuals.

Sibling Conflict

Sibling relationships, an integral part of the family's social and psychological unit, play a

significant role in the development of individual social and emotional skills. This companionship

establishes not only close emotional bonds but also assists in navigating through the ups and
downs of life experiences. Nevertheless, the closeness and bond that siblings share could be

accompanied by conflict, which is one of the few issues in their relationships together.

Sibling conflict, colloquially known as sibling rivalry, explains a range of behaviors that

range from jealousy to aggression, driven by the desire to defeat or win against one another.

The foundation that leads to the development of sibling rivalry can be seen in close bon, formed

as a result of shared experiences, family obligations, and dynamics among family members.

According to Odudu et al, (2020), sibling rivalry commonly emerges from children’s unfulfilled

need for equality of parental attention, resources, or privileges. This, in turn, creates resentment

and competition among siblings.

In addition, there could be fights between siblings, especially when each member starts

to interpret the family expectations and norms differently. Siblings may tend to attempt to

upstage each other in winning their parents’ approval, which could lead to power struggles and

disputes within the family. White and Hughes (2017) emphasize that siblings, though they do

have different personalities, temperaments, and developmental paths, will eventually have to

resolve their conflicts. In other words, these family-sized traits and siblings’ interactions

contribute to the cross of various types of conflict in siblings.

Furthermore, some factors such as birth order and parental influence, which are external

dynamics, also significantly impact sibling relationships and their conflict. The position of

children in the family, in particular, plays a role in sibling rivalry, with the firstborn assuming a

dominant position over younger siblings (Sulloway 2016). This hierarchical relationship could

lead to siblings' feelings of under-appreciation or inferiority, resulting in conflicts and rivalries

that may exist among families. Moreover, parental behaviors and discrimination of parents can

be an aggravating factor causing tension among siblings, leading to the escalation of conflict.
 Another study suggests that parental favoritism, whether real or perceived, might result

in prejudice and jealousy among siblings, which in turn can make the competition even higher

and instigate tension between them (Woo, 2021). Parents' disorderly distribution among

children of attention, sources, and praise may develop existing feelings of inadequacy and

exclusion among siblings, further propagation of the conflict dynamics inside the family.

The cultural effect is also evident in how conflicts among siblings manifest and are

normalized, as cultural norms and values dictate the kind of family expectations and behaviors

that are deemed acceptable. Cultural differences in familial structure, gender roles, and

communication styles may affect how siblings navigate conflicts (White & Hughes, 2017). Also,

societal expectations about creating relationships with siblings and familial responsibilities of the

family can place greater pressure on the children's personalities, especially in cultures that

prioritize values such as obedience and competition among surviving offspring. Through the

study of close bonds, parental behavior, birth order, and cultural traditions, researchers may

discover the mechanisms underlying sibling rivalry and how to encourage positive sibling terms

in families.

Parental Attention that can cause Sibling Conflicts

Parental attention, which ought to be a pillar of a child’s well-being, is unknowingly the

underlying factor of sibling conflict in a family. The allocation of parental time among children,

due to characteristics like age gaps, personality traits, and inadvertently favoring one over

another, can lead to perceptions of being treated differently. Hence, when one child gets more

attention than the other child, the latter may experience feelings of rejection or envy, which may

generate quarrels and rivalry between the children for the parent's appreciation and affection.
This inequitable approach to paying attention can be the reason for a rift in a family setting as

siblings tend to disunite, leading to disharmony in the family.

According to Pickering and Sanders (2015), they affirm that parents have a key role in

influencing how and to what extent siblings will interact within the family environment. Programs

that focus on advocating for parents, such as the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program,

emphasize the importance of parental views and are quite effective when tackling underlying

issues contributing to sibling disputes. The data shows that the ideas of unfair or unequal

sharing of attention among young ones can also intensify the levels of jealousy, conflict and

even fighting. As a result, interventions addressing conflicts and attentional concerns that

provide a framework for sibling conflict management bear the potential to not only reduce

conflicts but also contribute to more harmonious sibling relationships in general.

Furthermore, Liu and Rahman's (2022) meta-analysis focuses on the intricate

connection between parenting styles and sibling fights. They point out the advantage of

authoritative parenting in minimizing sibling rivalry. Authoritative parenting, characterized by

warmth, consistency, and clear communication, is proven to support positive sibling

relationships. Additionally, Howe et al, (2023) highlight the value of all sibling relationships for

children's development. They emphasize how affection and understanding from parents can

strengthen the bonds between siblings, consequently decreasing the probability of conflict at

home.

Moreover, Matthew's study (2023) delves into the multidimensional functions of sibling

relationships in the development process of children. The author conveys the important role of

parents' attention by showing the contribution of emotional support, socialization, and problem-

solving skills to fostering good connections among siblings. This, in turn, promotes overall well-

being.
 Exploring the interdependence between parental style, distinct temperaments of siblings,

and family ties, Shi and Campione-Barr’s research (2021) illustrates that parental attention,

when combined with an understanding of individual differences among siblings, profoundly

influences family processes and, arguably, the extent of conflicts that occasionally manifest due

to dissimilar temperaments or parenting approaches.

Apart from this, the work of Grusec and Danyliuk (2014) also stresses the impact of

parents' attitudes and convictions on the development of their children. It appears that

interventions aimed at resolving sibling fights should include changes in parents' attitudes and

parental behaviors that can contribute to or exacerbate conflicts. More importantly, Oyarzun-

Farias et al. (2021) discovered gender inequalities in parental roles and the effects this can

have on family dynamics, as influenced by maternal and paternal experiences. Recognizing

parent stress and satisfaction enables the identification of barriers to parent attention and the

success of measures taken to handle them, considering that parental experiences differ from

one family context to another.

Subsequently, Masarik and Conger's (2017) argument of the Family Stress Model (FSM)

lucidly demonstrates that stresses such as marital disputes and financial problems can diminish

parental involvement in sibling relations, thereby potentially leading to increased fights and

conflicts among siblings. By acknowledging these factors, intervention strategies will then be

able to combat underlying sources of stress and help parents in child-rearing effectively.

Taking all these studies together, it becomes drastically evident how parental attention is

the key to fostering a healthy sibling relationship and a family environment with less discord.

Through understanding the relationship between parental behaviors, family structure, and

children's development, interventions can be designed to nurture healthy sibling interactions

and contribute to the overall happiness of all family members.

Drawing from the research presented, parental attention emerges as a central aspect

influencing sibling relationships and conflicts within family units. The studies collectively offer

insights into the intricate dynamics between parental attention and sibling conflict, highlighting

the need for equitable distribution of parental resources and effective intervention strategies to

mitigate conflicts.

Research by Joseph & John (2015) and Aastha & Bathia (2014) stress parental

attention's role in nurturing children and supporting family life. Yet, Lanthier (2015) suggests that

with the arrival of new children, adjustments in parenting approaches and resource allocation

become necessary.

Sibling conflict, as illuminated by Odudu et al. (2020) and White and Hughes (2017),

often stems from disparities in parental attention, birth order dynamics, and cultural influences.

Factors such as parental favoritism, as highlighted by Woo (2021), and societal expectations, as

discussed by White & Hughes (2017), further exacerbate sibling conflicts, underscoring the

need for interventions addressing parental behaviors and cultural norms.

Parental attention is crucial for child development but can exacerbate sibling conflicts

(Pickering & Sanders, 2015; Liu & Rahman, 2022). Interventions like the Triple P-Positive

Parenting Program can help (Pickering & Sanders, 2015; Liu & Rahman, 2022). Research by

Matthew (2023) and Shi and Campione-Barr (2021) underscores parental attention's role in

strengthening sibling bonds and overall well-being. However, negative parental attitudes and

behaviors worsen conflicts (Grusec & Danyliuk, 2014; Oyarzun-Farias et al., 2021), while

stressors like marital disputes reduce parental involvement, leading to increased sibling conflicts

(Masarik & Conger, 2017).

attention plays a pivotal role in shaping sibling relationships and conflicts within families.

Understanding the interplay between parental behaviors, family dynamics, and children's

development is crucial for designing effective interventions aimed at nurturing healthy sibling

interactions and fostering harmonious family environments.