Relationship with siblings as a predictor of empathy and humor styles in early adulthood

Abstract

SummaryAims: Sibling relationships in early adulthood are explored relatively rarely. The aim of the current study was to describe this relationship and its importance for interpersonal functioning of young adults. Methods:The study included 100 participants at an average age of 27.08 years (SD=4.38); 60% were women (n=60) and 40% were men (n=40). The following tools were used in the study: Adult Siblings Relationships Questionnaire -Short Form, the Empathic Sensitiveness Scale and Humor Styles Questionnaire. Results:The study revealed that sisters have relationships with siblings that are based on warmth, and achieve higher average results in empathic care and personal distress and lower average results in self-defeating humor style than brothers. Relational variables with predictive value for empathy and humor styles were identified in both groups. In brothers, they explained a higher percentage of variance in results. Discussion:The study indicates that the quality of a relationship with adult siblings significantly influences a number of dimensions of interpersonal functioning. Conclusions:The study expands on psychological knowledge of family psychology and can be applied in family therapy practice. siblings, early adulthood, empathy, humor style 1 Early adulthood is a period between the ages of 18-20 and 30-35 [4].

Empathy and sibling relationship dynamics of women in emerging adulthood: Mixed‐method research

“…This study expands on the limited amount of research that has been conducted on relationships with siblings during emerging adulthood (e.g., Milevsky, 2005Milevsky, , 2019Portner & Riggs, 2016;Scharf et al, 2005;Walęcka-Matyja, 2017) and the role of siblings on empathy development. Sibling relationships have been shown to be especially important for sisters (Ricklefs, 2015), as they tend to have closer relationships than other gender sibling combinations (Bedford & Avioli, 2001).…”

“…This might be because sibling interactions provide unique opportunities for individuals to recognize their own and others' emotions and contribute to each other's socialization (Dunn, 1998;Lam et al, 2012). The specific bond between siblings generates environments required for development of interpersonal relationships (Walęcka-Matyja, 2017).…”

“…Social skill development includes at least two domains: the skill to interact with others and a sense of empathy. By empathizing with others, an individual shows interest in others' problems, understanding another's perspective, and paying attention to their social behaviors (Walęcka-Matyja, 2017).…”

The influence of clinical training level on the empathy levels of undergraduate and postgraduate dental students

“…These responses might depend on several variables such as different economic conditions, cultural, moral, educational and interpersonal behaviors, personal experiences, or levels of anxiety. 32,33 At this point, social relationships with siblings, quality of the relationships, and empathic behaviors related to providing support by siblings can make an impact in empathic care. 33 Supporting this phenomenon, in our study students with siblings demonstrated significantly higher empathy levels.…”

An Investigation of the Connection between Parenting Styles, Birth Order, Personality, and Sibling Relationships

“…Female participants with a female sibling reported that they exerted more warmth towards their sibling than females with a male sibling (Barnes & Austin, 1995). Sistersister sibling dyads experience more warmth, intimacy, and emotional support while brother-brother sibling dyads experience more self-defeating humor (Welecka-Matyja, 2017).Women are also more likely to facetime their siblings than men are (Van Volkom et al, 2017). This may be due to society's double standards that women can show emotions while men should not engage in outward emotional expression.…”