PARENTING STYLE AND SIBLING RIVALRY AMONG PRESCHOOL CHILDREN AT AN ISLAMIC KINDERGARTEN IN PEKANBARU, INDONESIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Sibling rivalry is a common phenomenon among preschool children and may be influenced by parenting practices within the family. This study aimed to determine the association between parenting styles and sibling rivalry among preschool children at YLPI Marpoyan Islamic Kindergarten, Pekanbaru, Indonesia. A quantitative analytic study with a cross-sectional design was conducted in 03–26 May 2025. The study involved 84 parents who had more than one child, selected using total sampling. Data were collected using validated and reliable questionnaires and analyzed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of 0.05. The findings showed that 55 respondents (65.5%) applied parenting styles categorized as at risk, consisting of permissive and authoritarian parenting, while 29 respondents (34.5%) applied democratic parenting. Sibling rivalry was identified in 46 children (54.8%), whereas 38 children (45.2%) did not experience sibling rivalry. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association between parenting style and sibling rivalry (p = 0.043). Children exposed to at-risk parenting styles had 2.864 times higher odds of experiencing sibling rivalry compared with those receiving democratic parenting (95% CI: 1.130–7.256). These findings indicate that parenting style is associated with sibling rivalry among preschool children. Parenting approaches that provide consistent guidance, emotional support, communication, and equitable attention may help reduce sibling conflict during the preschool period.