The Impacts of Siblings on Development Across the Lifespan

Author

Jeanie K. Cox, Whittier CollegeFollow

Volume

29

Number

1

Department

Dept. of Psychology

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Date

2023

Abstract

Most individuals grow up with siblings, and sibling relationships are some of the longest lasting relationships experienced. Studies that have investigated sibling effects on developmental domains and stages throughout an individual’s life indicate that older siblings have some of the greatest impacts on younger siblings’ social, psychological, and cognitive development. During childhood, sibling relationships revolve around older and younger siblings’ prosocial behaviors. During adolescence, sibling power dynamics shift as older siblings relinquish power to younger siblings. In adulthood, siblings tend to experience increased closeness and decreased conflict as they mature and move away from one another. Information on siblings’ impacts on development and sibling relationships across the lifespan can provide mental health professionals with better insight on individual developmental differences.

Keyword

siblings, sibling relationships, developmental domains, lifespan, literature review

Discipline

Psychology

Document Type

article

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Recommended Citation

Cox, Jeanie K. (2023) "The Impacts of Siblings on Development Across the Lifespan," Modern Psychological Studies: Vol. 29: No. 1, Article 11.
Available at: https://scholar.utc.edu/mps/vol29/iss1/11