Sibling Relationship Troubles and Well-Being in Middle and Old Age

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sibling troubles are related to well-being. It was predicted that well-being would be greater when more positive cognitive appraisals are generated to manage the stress engendered by these troubles than when fewer positive appraisals are made. Qualitative data regarding age-near same-sex siblings were solicited via open-ended questions. These data were coded for each indication of a benefit derived from sibling troubles. Respondents were 40 well-educated middle-class men and women in middle and late life. Using multiple regression analyses that controlled for socio-economic status and size of social support network, results suggested that the use of positive cognitive appraisals of sibling troubles was related to positive affect, but not negative affect. Social support also contributed uniquely to positive affect. Notably, these findings only applied to coping with sibling troubles originating in childhood, not in adulthood. The findings suggest a connection between sibling childhood experiences and well-being in adulthood.