Super Mario brothers and sisters: Associations between coplaying video games and sibling conflict and affection

Keywords

Video game, Adolescent, Coplaying, Sibling, Aggression, Prosocial behavior

Abstract

Video games can be played in many different contexts. This study examined associations between coplaying video games between siblings and levels of affection and conflict in the relationship. Participants were 508 adolescents (M age = 16.31 years of age, SD = 1.08) who completed questionnaires on video game use and sibling relationships. Participants were recruited from a large Northwestern city and a moderate city in the Mountain West of the United States. Video games played between siblings were coded by an independent sample to assess levels of physical aggression and prosocial behavior in each game. Playing video games with a sibling was associated with higher levels of sibling affection for both boys and girls, but higher levels of conflict for boys only. Playing a violent video game with a brother was associated with lower levels of conflict in the sibling relationship, whereas playing a prosocial video game was not related to any sibling outcome. The value of video games in sibling relationships will be discussed, with a focus on the type of game and the sex of the adolescent.

Original Publication Citation

Coyne, S. M., Jensen, A. C., *Smith, N., & *Erickson, D. (2016). Super Mario brothers and sisters: Associations between coplaying video games and sibling conflict and affection. Journal of Adolescence, 47, 48-59. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.12.001

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2016-2

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5495

Publisher

Journal of Adolescence

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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