Sibling relationships and children’s social well-being

Abstract

Sibling relationships constitute one of the main subsystems within the family context. They play a significant role in children’s social and psychological functioning. The study of sibling relationships has drawn the attention of researchers in the last two decades. The purpose of the present chapter is to discuss various aspects of sibling relationships and to analyze the influence of these relationships on children’s well-being. Two specific topics are addressed. First, we discuss research evidence on the characteristics of siblings, the specific dimensions associated with the quality of their relationships, and their influence on children’s positive social outcomes. Second, we analyze central issues related to the formulation of public policies to foster children’s well-being in sibling relationships. More specifically, we discuss the links between research and intervention programs on sibling relationships, and their connection with policies on children’s well-being. In the last section of the chapter, we discuss some of the main challenges for research, interventions, and public policies with regard to sibling relationships.