According to a recent study
published in the Journal of Family Issues, having multiple siblings may have
potential downsides for young teenagers.
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| Spending individual and joint time with your teen will help improve their mental health |
The research, conducted with eighth
graders, indicates that kids with a significant number of siblings tend to
exhibit poorer mental health traits compared to their peers in smaller
families.
The study's authors suggest that parents with more children might have fewer resources available to alleviate stress in the home compared to parents with fewer children. This resource constraint could contribute to the observed impact on the mental health of adolescents with larger numbers of siblings.
Moreover, the researchers discovered that having older siblings close in age or any siblings within one year of each other exhibited the strongest correlation with poor mental health.
The authors noted, "Closely spaced siblings compete more for the
kinds of resources the target child needs from parents." Additionally,
they highlighted that siblings born within one year and older are the only ones
associated with lower mental health, whereas younger siblings showed no
association with mental health.
The study collected data from nearly 19,000 children in the United States and China, with an average age of 14. The findings suggested that children with no siblings in China tended to have the best mental health, while single children and those with one sibling in the United States showed better mental health compared to subjects with multiple siblings.
How does the number of siblings affect mental health?
In simple terms, the number of
siblings can impact mental health due to the division of parental attention.
Jeff Gardere, a clinical psychologist and professor at Touro College of
Osteopathic Medicine, explains that the assertion of slightly poor mental
health is likely rooted in resource dilution. This means that as the number of
children in a family increases, parents have less attention and fewer financial
resources to allocate to each child.
Samantha Quigneaux, a licensed
therapist and the national director of family therapy services at Newport
Healthcare, notes that a lack of parental attention can lead to drawbacks such
as low self-esteem, insecurity, and difficulties forming healthy relationships.
She emphasizes that more children can result in increased competition for
parents' time and attention, and children experiencing inconsistent or
insufficient attention may develop feelings of neglect, contributing to mental
health issues.
Quigneaux highlights, however, that the amount of attention needed for a child to thrive in the world is not universally quantifiable and varies from one child to another.
How does a close age gap among
siblings affect their mental health?
The new study indicates that the
age difference between siblings plays a role in their mental health, and close
age gaps tend to result in poorer outcomes. According to Jeff Gardere, this
trend is directly linked to "bungling," where, due to the proximity in
age, parents may treat children similarly and provide them with the same types
of resources. Gardere emphasizes that despite the closeness in age, each child
has individual needs that may be overlooked.
Samantha Quigneaux points out that
the tendency to compare siblings should be part of the broader conversation.
Children, especially teenagers, experience increased awareness of others,
leading to competition and comparison.
Siblings close in age may share friends and engage in similar activities, fostering a environment where they compare their lives. Quigneaux notes that this comparison can lead to anxiety and self-esteem issues.
Are there any positive mental
health benefits to having siblings?
Yes, having siblings can indeed
impact mental health, and it's not solely negative. While the study highlighted
potential downsides, research also underscores the positive contributions of
having siblings at various stages of life.
Samantha Quigneaux emphasizes that
siblings can positively contribute to the mental health of teens by offering
emotional support, fostering a sense of companionship, and creating a built-in
social network. Siblings provide a unique understanding of each other's
experiences, share a sense of belonging, and offer companionship during both
positive and challenging times.
Jeff Gardere notes that while
parental love and support may be "diluted" in larger families, the
attention and support from siblings can be significant. He likens it to being
part of a band or athletic team, where there is not only support from parents
but especially from siblings.
For only children, there may be more attention from parents, but those with siblings benefit from interactions with brothers and sisters, filling the void left by their parents' "diluted" attention.
What can parents do to mitigate
this?
While the study's results highlight
potential challenges associated with having multiple siblings, it's crucial to
recognize that parents can take steps to mitigate negative impacts by
understanding each child's individual needs and dedicating time for one-on-one
interactions.
Samantha Quigneaux suggests that to counter potential mental health effects, individuals can focus on developing strong communication skills within the family, fostering individualized connections with each sibling, and seeking support from parents or other trusted adults. Establishing personal boundaries and ensuring that each sibling feels heard and understood contribute to a healthier family dynamic.
Jeff Gardere emphasizes the
importance of actively listening to children, discerning their individual
needs, and providing tailored attention. Taking the time to engage with each
child individually allows them to express their wants and needs.
Gardere also brings attention to
the schooling system's role in family dynamics, suggesting consulting
counselors, therapists, and pediatricians for advice and not hesitating to seek
support when needed.
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