We are in this Together: Retrospective Parentification, Sibling Relationships, and Self-Esteem
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ORIGINAL PAPER
We are in this Together: Retrospective Parentification, Sibling Relationships, and Self-Esteem Judyta Borchet
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Aleksandra Lewandowska-Walter1 Piotr Połomski1 Aleksandra Peplińska1 Lisa M. Hooper2 ●
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© The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Parentification occurs when children provide caregiving for family members that typically exceeds their capacity and developmental stage. Parentification roles and responsibilities are often linked with deleterious outcomes, including robbing children of age-appropriate opportunities, activities, and support. However, in some circumstances, such as caring for a sibling vs. caring for a parent, parentification may engender feelings of self-efficacy, competence, and other positive outcomes. The primary objective of the current study was to explore the possible benefits of parentification. Using an understudied, international population, the current study tested the benefits of parentification in the context of the sibling relationship. Two research questions guided the study: to what extent are perceived benefits of parentification positively associated with self-esteem among a sample of Polish late adolescents? And to what extent does the quality of the sibling relationship mediate the association between perceived benefits of parentification and self-esteem? Results from the current sample showed the quality of sibling relationships partially mediated the relation between parentification and self-esteem. The findings underline the importance of assessing the quality of sibling relationships when an individual or family presenting for clinical services related to past and current family discord and dysfunction. Future research might consider other factors in the sibling relationship, such as personality, that could relate to positive outcomes from parentification. Keywords Benefits of parentification Self-esteem Sibling relationships Late adolescence International research ●
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Highlights Children and adolescents who experience parentification may employ various coping mechanisms. ● Quality relationships between siblings may reduce the negative outcomes of parentification. ● International studies on individuals who experience parentification are needed. ● Relationships other than the harmful ones with parents must be investigated. ●
Although adverse situations in the family system are commonly related to a negative and unstable self-esteem, there are instances when the same situations might facilitate feelings of resiliency, self-efficacy, and competency (ByngHall 2008). One systemic structure that may engender
* Judyta Borchet [email protected] 1
University of Gdańsk, Institute of Psychology, Jana Bażyńskiego 4, Gdańsk 80-309, Poland
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University of Northern Iowa, Center for Educational Transformation, 108 Schindler Education Center, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0410, USA
positive outcomes is when roles are reversed between children and adults, and the hierarchy is inverted in the family system. This structure is commonly characterized a
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