Does sibling relationship matter to self-concept and resilience in adolescents under residential care?

The adolescent's transition to residential care is marked by significant emotional events. According to attachment theory, the affective bond between siblings may provide the stability and support that help to overcome difficulties during transitions. Using structural equation modeling the present study analyzed the associations between quality of sibling relationship and self-concept of institutionalized adolescents, testing the mediating role of resilience in this association, and the moderating effect of the maintenance of contact between siblings. The sample consisted of 387 adolescents living under residential care (due to abandonment, parental neglect or lack of family socio-economic conditions), between 12 and 18 years, from both genders and living in the Northern and Central Portugal. The results showed that the quality of sibling relationship predicted a positive self-concept, and resilience played a mediating role on the previous association. The moderating role of sibling contact on the association between the quality of sibling relationship and self-concept was observed. The results are discussed in light of attachment theory, pointing to the links between quality of sibling relationship and the development of self-concept and resilience.