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Oh, Brother (or Sister)!: An Examination of Sibling Attachment, Conflict, and Cooperation in Emerging Adulthood

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2015

Gillian Tibbetts  and
Elaine Scharfe
Gillian Tibbetts
Affiliation:
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Elaine Scharfe*
Affiliation:
Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Dr Elaine Scharfe, Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, ONK9J 7B8, Canada. Email: escharfe@trentu.ca
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Abstract

Despite the general belief that sibling relationships are unique in duration across the lifespan and the demonstrated importance of these relationships in childhood, to date, no studies have specifically explored sibling attachment in adulthood. In this study, we examined the sibling relationship from an attachment perspective by exploring the influence of attachment on sibling conflict and cooperation. Results of hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that sibling attachment uniquely influenced conflict and cooperation in the sibling relationship even after controlling for the effects of attachment to mothers, fathers and peers, as well as the reported warmth between siblings. In particular, fearful and dismissing sibling attachment predicted increased conflict and decreased cooperation with siblings. The findings simultaneously highlight the uniqueness of the sibling relationship and contribute important knowledge to the field of attachment, specifically providing some support for the role of siblings as attachment figures.

Keywords

attachmentsiblingsconflictcooperation
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 6 , 2015 , e8
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2015 

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