Siblings as a Context for Positive Development: Closeness, Communication, and Well-Being

To address a gap in the literature we examined sibling relationships as a context for positive development. Specifically, the relationships between individual well-being, sibling closeness, and frequency of sibling communication were explored. The goal of this study was to determine whether individual well-being moderated the relationship between frequency of sibling communication and perceived sibling closeness. Participants included a subsample (n = 236) of youth from a larger study who reported having at least one sibling. Data were collected through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that associations between frequency of sibling communication and sibling closeness were statistically significant, sibling communication and closeness were highly correlated, regardless of individual differences. Neither emotional, psychological, nor social well-being moderated the relationship between frequency of sibling communication and sibling closeness. Limitations and future directions are considered.

Sibling Social Comparison in Mid- to Later Life: Links with Well-Being and Relationship Quality

Social comparison processes between siblings play an important role in the ways siblings influence one another at younger ages, but to our knowledge, no studies have examined social comparison processes between siblings in mid- to later life. The current study examined (1) factors associated with the propensity for social comparisons with a sibling and (2) how social comparison is linked to well-being and sibling relationship quality. Data came from 491 adults from across the United States ( M age = 58.96, SD = 6.25; 68% female). Results indicated that adults who are the same sex as their sibling are more likely to engage in social comparison with their sibling. Additionally, an inclination for social comparison with a sibling was linked to more depressive symptoms, more sibling conflict, and greater sibling closeness. Overall, comparison with a sibling in adulthood may be linked to both positive and negative outcomes.

Look Who’s Talking: Mediums of Contact Among Mid-to Later-Life Siblings

Adult siblings maintain contact and remain close to one another. The current study used participants recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk ( n = 491) to conduct regression analyses examining five methods of contact (in person, telephone, email, texting, and social media) predicting sibling closeness and conflict. Further, two- and three-way interactions assessed the role of sibling dyad composition (e.g., women with a sister and women with a brother). Results suggested that as contact in person, through social media, the telephone, or email increased, sibling closeness increased, while increased contact through email indicated less conflict. Assessing sibling dyad composition suggested as telephone contact increased, sibling closeness increased for all sibling dyads, especially for women with a sister compared to men with a brother. In-person and texting contacts were beneficial for women with a brother. Even in mid- to later-life, siblings connect through synchronous and asynchronous mediums, and this contact appears beneficial for sisters.

LOOK WHO’S TALKING: TRADITIONAL AND ELECTRONIC MEDIUMS OF CONTACT LINKED WITH LATER-LIFE SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS

The sibling role is often the longest lasting relationship between individuals. As such, older adults may turn to siblings in later life as it is a relationship that is already familiar. Having a close and less conflictual relationship with a sibling may be especially important as older adults value siblings for emotional and practical support exhibited through contact. Minimal research has examined mediums of contact used between sibling dyads despite the increase use in technology among older adults. Using a sample of 491 Americans (Mage = 58.96) recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (Mturk), the current study examined five mediums of contact (i.e., in person, telephone, e-mail, texting, and social media) and how each type independently is related to sibling closeness and conflict. Further, using regression analyses in STATA, two and three-way interactions were examined to assess the role of sibling dyad composition affecting this relationship. Results indicated that contact through telephone was associated with higher sibling closeness for all sibling dyads, and that association was stronger for females with a sister compared to males with a brother. Further, in person and texting contact was especially beneficial for females with a brother. Main effects revealed contact in person, via social media, over the telephone, or through email, reported more sibling closeness, while those who engaged in more email contact reported less conflict. Thus, even in later life, siblings are keeping in contact with one another through both traditional and electronic mediums of communication, and this contact appears especially beneficial for sisters.