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THE REACTION OF FIRST‐BORN CHILDREN TO THE BIRTH OF A SIBLING: MOTHERS' REPORTS

Journal of Child Psychology and PsychiatryPublished 1 January 1981
Judy Dunn, Carol Kendrick, Rosanne MacNamee
Citations169
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score2.99
SNIP2.67

TL;DR

Differences in temperament, in the quality of the mother-first-born relationship, in age and in the mothers' State in the post partum weeks were found to be associated with differences in the reaction of the first-born children.

Abstract

SUMMARY The reactions of first‐born children to the birth of a sibling, as reported by their mothers, were studied in 40 families. Increased clinging, withdrawal and tearfulness were negatively related to positive interest in the baby, but other aspects of disturbed behaviour were not significantly associated with each other, or with positive interest. Differences in temperament, in the quality of the mother‐first‐born relationship, in age and in the mothers' State in the post partum weeks were found to be associated with differences in the reaction of the first‐born children.

Keywords

Social SciencesMedicine