When Quality Trumps Quantity: Siblings and the Development of Peer Relationships

Authors: Yucel, D., & Downey, D. B.

 

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that individuals raised with siblings gain social skills that facilitate relationship building with others. However, while this pattern has been demonstrated among kindergartners and adults, surprisingly, it does not replicate among adolescents. We analyze 4188 10–15-year-olds from the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) and replicate the previous pattern—number of siblings is unrelated to peer relationship quality. Unlike past studies, we explore how sibling relationship quality matters. It turns out that while the number of siblings is inconsequential, the quality of sibling relationships plays an important role in shaping the quality of peer relationships. While past research implies that siblings play no role in developing the skills necessary for building and maintaining other relationships among youths, our study clarifies how the quality of sibling relationships (but not the quantity) is a meaningful contributor to the development of peer relationships.

Keywords: Siblings. Peer relationships. Sibling relationship quality. United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Study. Adolescents.

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Updated on October 16, 2024

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