Inter-parental conflict and sibling warmth during adolescence: associations with female depression in emerging adulthood.

ABSTRACT

Grounded in Grych and Fincham's cognitive appraisal theory, this study examined whether female emerging adults' (N = 216) recalled sibling warmth moderated the relationship between exposure to inter-parental conflict in adolescence and their current depression. Findings indicated that sibling warmth moderated the relationship between the intensity and frequency of inter-parental conflict and depression, but not inter-parental conflict resolution. Compared to female emerging adults who reported lower sibling warmth, those who reported higher sibling warmth in the face of greater intensity and higher frequency of inter-parental conflict during adolescence had lower depression. The important role of siblings for youth from conflicted homes was highlighted.