The Relationship Between Sibling Jealousy and Presence at a Sibling's Birth

ABSTRACT: Parents’requests to include their children at birth have raised concern about the effects of birth on the child. Most studies have shown that children respond positively to birth and some suggest that a sensitive bonding period may occur immediately after birth for the sibling and newborn. This study investigates the relationship between sibling jealousy and a child's presence at birth. Two groups of children, those present and absent from birth, were assessed using parents’responses to a questionnaire on changes in behaviors indicative of jealousy, such as regression, temper tantrums, harsh physical interaction, and sleeping problems. No significant difference was found between the scores for the two groups. Parents’responded that children showed mothering and caretaking behaviors, with a greater number of these behaviors occurring in the group of children who were present for the birth.