Graduation Term

Summer 2026

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Department of Psychology

Committee Chair

Suejung Han

Committee Co-Chair

Karla Doepke

Committee Member

Dawn McBride

Abstract

Neurotypical siblings of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience unique challenges, including increased familial stress and differences in parental treatment, which may affect the sibling bond. Grounded in the Attachment Theory and Siblings Embedded Systems Framework, this study examined relationships among attachment security, parenting behaviors and sibling relationship quality. It was hypothesized that secure parental attachment and helpful parenting behaviors would predict greater sibling closeness and lower conflict, and that attachment security would mediate the relationship between parenting behaviors and sibling relationship quality. Results from a sample of emerging adults (N=91) partially supported these hypotheses. Bivariate correlations revealed that helpful parenting was positively associated with attachment security (r = .69, p < .001) and sibling closeness (r = .38, p < .001). PROCESS mediation analyses indicated that attachment security significantly mediated the relationship between perceived parental differential treatment (PDT) satisfaction and sibling relationship quality (ab= .21, 95% CI [.05, .39]). However, the indirect effect of unhelpful parenting behaviors through attachment was not significant (ab= -.17, 95% CI [-.36, .01]). Helpful parenting also demonstrated a direct effect on sibling quality independent of attachment. Findings suggest attachment mediates parental differential treatment and sibling relationship quality, while helpful parenting behaviors promotes harmony highlighting key targets for clinical intervention in ASD families.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

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