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Close Sibling Relationships as Kids Lessens Risk for Depression Later
People who form close relationships with at least one of their siblings during childhood lower their risk for depression as adults, according to a study published in the
American Journal of Psychiatry.
Professor Robert Waldinger, M.D., of Harvard Medical School analyzed results of an ongoing 68-year study of 229 men that began when they were children. Poor relationships with siblings and a family history of depression could predict if a man would experience major depression and use mood-altering drugs after age 50.
On the other hand, those with a close relationship with one sibling were at low risk for depression, even when Dr. Waldinger factored in other explanations, including parental relationships.
Labels: depression, relationships, siblings
posted by ByParents-forParents at 4:57 PM
Are Mom and Dad Stricter with Child #1? Probably!
Are parents harder on first-born children than their younger siblings? A new study indicates the answer may be yes.
Researchers from the University of Maryland, Duke University, and Johns Hopkins University sorted through data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on teen pregnancy and high school drop-outs. The researchers found that parents were more likely to withdraw financial support from first-borns who got pregnant or quit high school than their younger siblings. Parents were more likely to allow the younger brothers or sisters to live at home. Younger siblings were also more likely to drop out of school and get pregnant compared to the first-borns in the study.
Lead author Ginger Zhe Jim believes that most parents want to take a tough stand and set an example of their first-borns who get in trouble in order to deter the younger ones from following suit.
This study appears in Economic Journal.
What happens to the younger siblings of a
teen struggling with drug addiction? Learn about how to parent your other children while getting your child help for
teen alcoholism.
Labels: parenting, rules, siblings
posted by ByParents-forParents at 11:18 AM
Younger Siblings 'Keep the Peace' with First-borns
Younger siblings play down their successes and employ other strategies to preserve their relationships with first-borns, according to a new study of teens in Australia.
University of Queensland professors Pat Noller and Anita Blakely-Smith looked at 355 pairs of siblings ages 13 to 17 years. They found that first-borns enjoy exerting power over younger brothers and sisters, while the younger ones work to keep the peace. The younger siblings were more aware of the older siblings' need for self-esteem, but the first-borns had less concern for their siblings' feelings and enjoyed their successes.
The researchers also found that a similar dynamic occurs in twins, even when the age gap is just a few minutes.
Labels: happiness, relationships, siblings
posted by ByParents-forParents at 7:05 PM
