What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to correct the published Appendix in the original article and address the role of siblings in youth behavioral outcomes.

April 25, 2026Open Access

Correction to “Siblings as buffers: Social problems and internalizing and externalizing behaviors across early adolescence” by Fry et al. (2021).

Key Points

The aim is to correct the published Appendix in the original article and address the role of siblings in youth behavioral outcomes.
Examined sibling warmth using observational coding during problem-solving tasks.
Analyzed a sample of 45 adolescent sibling dyads with younger (M age = 12.1) and older (M age = 14.5) siblings.
Collected data through multi-informant reports at baseline and a 1-year follow-up.
Older sibling warmth buffered against social problems impacting externalizing behaviors (p<0.05).
Marginal effects observed for internalizing symptoms associated with older sibling warmth.
Younger sibling warmth did not buffer older siblings from maladjustment.

Abstract

Reports an error in "Siblings as buffers: Social problems and internalizing and externalizing behaviors across early adolescence" by Cassidy M. Fry, Eva H. Telzer and Christy R. Rogers (Journal of Family Psychology, 2021Oct, Vol 357, 939-949; see record 2021-54188-001). In the original article, the contents of the Appendix were published without permission and have been removed by request of the copyright holder. The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2021-54188-001). Youth who struggle to maintain positive peer relationships are more likely to display emotional and behavioral problems, particularly during adolescence. Alternative avenues of social support may buffer against these maladaptive outcomes, particularly sibling relations, as they oftentimes predict adolescent outcomes above and beyond that of parents and peers. The present study examined the role of objective sibling warmth on the longitudinal association between social problems and maladjustment in a sample of 45 adolescent sibling dyads, further testing how effects varied between younger (Mage = 12.1; 24 females) and older (Mage = 14.5; 21 females) siblings. Sibling interactions were observed during cooperative and stressful problem-solving tasks, and later coded for expressions of warmth directed from one sibling to the other. Adolescent social problems and internalizing and externalizing behaviors were collected by multi-informant report and at a 1-year follow-up. Multilevel analyses indicated that adolescents with older siblings who exhibited more warmth were buffered against the effect of social problems on externalizing behaviors, with marginal effects for internalizing symptoms. Younger sibling warmth did not serve as a buffer for older sibling maladjustment. These findings emphasize the importance of considering how multiple dimensions of social support operate to influence functioning, particularly early in adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Correction to “Siblings as buffers: Social problems and internalizing and externalizing behaviors across early adolescence” by Fry et al. (2021).

Key Points

Abstract

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider