The Importance of Sibling Relationships in Separated Families

Abstract

There is emerging substantial evidence that sibling relationships exert a powerful facilitating influence on the development of children. Siblings can provide mutual support and nurturance, role models and family structure. Children from divorcing families have to deal with a major restructuring of the family and multiple losses, but their parents are often unable to provide the support and structure the children need. Sibling bonds may meet some of these needs and reassure children of the ultimate survival of a family life. The literature is briefly reviewed and two sibships are described.

Relative Contributions of Elder Siblings’ Versus Parents’ Acceptance and Behavioral Control to the Psychological Adjustment of Younger Siblings in Turkey

“…Even though a great part of developmental research has focused on parent-child relationships, an emerging literature shows that sibling relationships are also important (Gamble, Yu, & Kuehn, 2011;Waite, Shanahan, Calkins, Keane, & O'Brien, 2011). Research in recent decades, for example, has shown that siblings often spend more time with each other than with parents (Waters, 1987). Moreover, it is uncommon for siblings to discontinue their relationship with each other, even if the relational experience has been mostly negative (Cicirelli, 1985;Ross & Milgram, 1982).…”

The Sibling Relationship in Young Adulthood

“…Nearly 95% of adults in the United States have at least one sibling of some type, with more than 85% having a full sister or brother (Crispell, 1996). Time spent interacting with these family members is substantial and has been estimated to exceed the time spent with parents (Waters, 1987). Although frequency of contact lessens as children enter adolescence and young adulthood, siblings still remain important fixtures in each other's lives (Pulakos, 1987).…”