Jw. Shortt et Jm. Gottman, CLOSENESS IN YOUNG-ADULT SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS - AFFECTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES, Social development, 6(2), 1997, pp. 142-164
What aspects of the relationships of young adult siblings are related
to closeness or distance? This study takes a process approach to answe
ring this question, contrasting it with the status approach of family
structure variables. Close and distant sibling pairs were compared on
physiological variables and specific aspects of warmth, conflict, and
power during two conversations - one on enjoyable topics and one on to
pics of disagreement. While there was no evidence that sibling closene
ss was related to family structure variables, differences in closeness
were found in affective patterns and physiological responses during s
ibling interaction. Interaction between close siblings was characteriz
ed not only by higher positive affect but also by fewer power struggle
s and lower heart rate reactivity. Close siblings also had higher scor
es on emotional empathy and cognitive aspects of empathy such as persp
ective-taking than distant siblings. The developmental importance of c
onsidering power struggles in young adult sibling relationships was al
so discussed.