Sibling Relationships Across the Life Span
When one begins to examine the existing literature dealing with siblings, one soon becomes aware that many separate domains of sibling research exist and that there is little connection between them; for example, sibling relationships in early childhood,
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SIBLING RELATIONSH IPS
ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN
VICTOR G. CICIRELLI Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana
SPRINGER SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, LLC
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data On file
Cicirelli. Victor O. Sibling relationships across the life span p.
I
Victor O. Ciclrelli.
em.
Includes bibliographical references (p.
) and indexes.
ISBN 978-1-4757-6511-3 ISBN 978-1-4757-6509-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4757-6509-0 1. Brothers and sisters. BF723.S43C53 1995 306.875--dc20
2. Developmental psychology.
1. Title.
95-18584 CIP
Library of Congress Cataloging-In-Publication Data
ISBN 978-1-4757-6511-3 © 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York Originally published by Plenum Press, New York in 1995 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1995 1098765432
All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher
Preface When one begins to examine the existing literature dealing with siblings, one soon becomes aware that many separate domains of sibling research exist and that there is little connection between them; for example, sibling relationships in early childhood, genetic and environmental influences on individual differences between siblings, dysfunctional sibling relationships, adult sibling helping relationships, sibling violence and abuse, and so on. The author's aim in writing this book was to attempt to bring together for the first time studies from diverse areas of sibling research into a single volume. The book is a summary and integration of the various domains of sibling studies, extending across the life span where studies exist to make this possible. Although many gaps in the sibling research literature within and between domains of study and over the life span still exist, it is hoped that this book will motivate others to help fill in the gaps by suggesting directions where further research is needed. Following a brief introduction, the book begins by presenting a broad theoretical framework for sibling research, followed by a discussion of methodological problems confronting the sibling researcher. Other chapters review research on sibling relationships in childhood and adolescence, and in adulthood and old age. Cross-cultural evidence for the universality of the sibling relationship is examined and cultural differences noted. A hermeneutic study of the relationships of a single family of adult siblings, their spouses, and their parents provides new understandings of how adult sibling relationships are maintained. Next, sibling helping relationships are examined across the life span, as well as the cooperative relationships between adult siblings as they endeavor to help their aging parents. The latter portion of the book is devoted to special topics concerning sibling relationships: those where a sibling is chronically ill, disabled, or v
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PREFACE
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