Abstract
The main aim of the study was to explore the relationship between life satisfaction and sibling bond quality, with gender playing a moderating role. The sample consisted of 276 young adults with a single biological sibling. The participants completed three questionnaires: a sociodemographic survey, the STQ-Now (quality of the sibling relationship) and the SWLS (level of life satisfaction). No difference was observed between men and women regarding life satisfaction; however, the gender constellation in a sibling dyad was found to be statistically significant. Same-sex pairs scored higher on life satisfaction than cross-sex siblings. A positive relationship with a brother or a sister based on mutuality correlated with high overall satisfaction with life, while criticism, competition and apathy were associated with lower general satisfaction. Additionally, two of these relations (i.e. mutuality and apathy) were moderated by gender. Lastly, representatives of the Supportive type of relationships obtained higher levels of life satisfaction than the Ambivalent or the Reluctant types. The findings suggest that siblings play an essential role in shaping psychological well-being. As early adulthood is a stage characterised by multitasking and various challenges, the formation of positive, adaptive and supportive sibling bond may maintain good life satisfaction. The findings also underline the significance of gender combination in the relationship.
Highlights
Adulthood is a period of life when achieving high life quality depends strongly on the successful realisation of a range of psychosocial developmental tasks, including gaining autonomy, building emotional and social skills though finding a reference group and starting a family; it is a time of establishing an identity, mostly by discovering one’s own interests, preferences and constituting opinions (Havighurst 1981)
Similar profiles were drawn up by Walęcka-Matyja (2018) and for the elderly by Gold (1990). These findings indicate some stability of the relationships during adulthood, and point that both warm and distant or conflictual relationships can exist between sisters and brothers at that time
As demographic variables are known to play a significant role in the nature of the sibling relationship, (Öz Soysal 2016; Tay et al 2014) the present study considers the moderating role played by gender
Summary
Adulthood is a period of life when achieving high life quality depends strongly on the successful realisation of a range of psychosocial developmental tasks, including gaining autonomy, building emotional and social skills though finding a reference group and starting a family; it is a time of establishing an identity, mostly by discovering one’s own interests, preferences and constituting opinions (Havighurst 1981). Involvement in an intimate relationship enhances the level of support and helps to meet the needs for human affiliation and love. Such well-being differs between genders (Öz Soysal 2016; Tay et al 2014; Di Tella et al 2003) and may be heightened by social participation, fulfilling civic obligations and beginning professional activity (Cicognani et al 2008; Haase et al 2012). Considering the abovementioned issues, the paper examines the relationship between sibling bond quality and satisfaction with life during early adulthood
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