A recent study published in the Journal of Family Issues sheds light on the relationship between the number of siblings and the mental health of teenagers. Conducted by Douglas B. Downey, PhD, and Rui Cao, a doctoral student at The Ohio State University, the research involved 9,400 eighth graders in China and 9,100 eighth graders in the United States.
The study evaluated the mental health of participants by assessing their responses to statements such as “I feel good about myself,” “Every time I try to get ahead, something or somebody stops me,” and “I certainly feel useless at times,” among others. The key finding revealed an inverse association between the number of siblings and mental health in both countries.
Teens in China without siblings exhibited the highest mental health levels, while in the United States, those with no or one sibling fared better. Conversely, U.S. teens with older siblings, particularly those born within a year of each other, experienced a more pronounced impact on their mental health.
Dr. Downey, the lead researcher, pointed to two potential explanations for these findings. One suggests that siblings may dilute parental resources and compromise the quality of family interactions, leading to lower mental health. Alternatively, he raised the possibility that families with more children may differ in characteristics that are inherently less conducive to strong mental health.
The study comes at a time when the trend of smaller household sizes is observed globally, with people choosing to have fewer children. Dr. Downey emphasized the importance of understanding the consequences of this demographic shift, especially in light of the association found between more siblings and lower mental health.
Notably, the study did not delve into the quality of sibling relationships. Dr. Downey acknowledged that previous research underscores the importance of healthy sibling relationships, which can contribute positively to mental health. Such relationships foster empathy, academic achievement, and serve as crucial support systems.
Clinical psychologist Emily Edlynn, PhD, who was not involved in the study, highlighted the significance of sibling relationships as training grounds for important social skills. While acknowledging the perks of being an only child, she emphasized the unique benefits of having siblings, including support in adulthood.
Dr. Edlynn also offered insights for parents with multiple children, emphasizing the importance of recognizing each child’s unique needs and maintaining individualized attention. Despite the study’s findings, she reassured that family preference plays a crucial role, and there is no significant overall difference between only children and those with siblings according to general research trends.
