Sibling estrangement

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Sibling estrangement or sibling alienation is the breakdown of relationships between siblings resulting in a lack of communication or outright avoidance of each other. It is a phenomenon that can occur in families for various reasons such as unresolved conflicts, personality differences, distance, or life events. Similar to family estrangement, sibling estrangement is also linked to disruptive family events, such as parental divorce or the death of a family member. It includes emotional and physical distancing of siblings. It is a voluntary and intentional process in which at least one sibling creates or keeps distance from another sibling, triggered by a negative relationship between them. It can happen at different ages, in the majority of cases it happens during adulthood. [1] [2]

Contents

Contributing causes

Childhood dynamics

Sibling alienation can be significantly influenced by childhood dynamics, such as sibling rivalry and parental favouritism. Siblings who experienced a lot of rivalry, resentment, and conflict as children are more likely to have strained relationships as adults. Parental favouritism can exacerbate this by causing resentment and escalating sibling conflict. [1]

Personality differences

Sibling estrangement can result from personality differences, attachment styles, communication preferences, and life experiences, among other personal distinctions. Some personality characteristics, such as neuroticism or extraversion, make people more or less likely to experience sibling estrangement. Attachment theory suggests that early interactions with caregivers can shape a person's attachment style, which in turn can have an impact on their adult relationships. Individuals with insecure attachment patterns are more likely to experience alienation from their siblings in the context of sibling estrangement. Sibling relationships can be impacted by differences in communication methods, such as conflict resolution techniques or the ability to reveal personal information. Personality conflicts can result in disagreement, which is a frequent cause of estrangement. [3]

Life events

Sibling estrangement can be significantly influenced by life events. An individual's capacity to sustain relationships with their siblings can be affected by a variety of circumstances, including the death of a parent or sibling, traumatic or abusive events, and mental health problems. [2] For instance, a sibling who has experienced abuse may find it difficult to trust them or feel secure in their presence, which might result in alienation. The incidence and length of estrangement can be influenced by the seriousness and timing of these occurrences. Life events are just one of several factors that can contribute to sibling estrangement, and their precise role may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. [1]

Miscommunication

Effective communication is essential for maintaining healthy sibling relationships. Poor communication, misunderstandings, and conflicts in communication styles can create barriers that make it difficult for siblings to connect and maintain a strong bond. In some cases, siblings may even avoid communication altogether, leading to a breakdown in their relationship. The importance of communication in sibling relationships makes it possible for estrangement to develop. [1]

Trauma or abuse

Any form of sexual, emotional, or physical abuse that takes place between siblings is referred to as sibling abuse. This can involve destructive actions such as bullying, physical aggression, and verbal abuse. The impacts of sibling abuse can endure a lifetime for those affected, increasing their vulnerability to mental health disorders and interpersonal interaction troubles. [1]

Mental illness/ substance use

Mental health and substance abuse can contribute to sibling estrangement in different ways. For instance, one sibling may keep their distance from a sibling who is battling addiction or mental illness. Some individuals may use estrangement as a way of coping with their own mental health or substance use issues. This could be brought on by the strain of handling the circumstance or worries about how it will affect other family members. Mental health issues could also affect the ability of siblings to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts that can drive them apart. Sibling estrangement itself can be challenging and lead to eventual problems with mental health and substance abuse. [3] [2]

Genetic factors

Genetic relatedness has been established as a significant risk factor, despite the impact of childhood co-residence having a large impact on its significance. Full siblings are less likely to experience estrangement than half and step-siblings who lived together for at least half of their upbringing. Non-biological siblings who had little to no history of childhood co-residence are more likely than other siblings to become estranged from one another. [2]

Certain genetic predispositions, such as temperament or personality traits, affect how siblings interact with each other and their ability to resolve conflicts. Heritable genetic disorders or conditions may increase the likelihood of sibling estrangement. This could be due to the various challenges and stressors associated with managing the condition, which can have an impact on the sibling relationship. [2]

Not all siblings who encountered one of the mentioned causes will inevitably end up distant from one another. Some people might be able to resolve these problems and continue to have intimate connections, while others will not. [2]

Symptoms

Sibling estrangement can have long-term consequences for the affected individual's mental health. [4] If left unaddressed, it can also have long-term implications for the children of estranged individuals, as well as their grandchildren. [4]

The estrangement may present itself slowly over a longer period of time in the form of reduced communication until the estranging sibling completely stops all contact or it may manifest in a sudden cut-off in all communication. [2]

Due to the lack of communication and resentment toward each other, it is highly likely that one or both of the siblings struggle with mental health issues. These mental health disorders have symptoms and can range from depression to eating disorders, anxiety, and even substance abuse. [4]

Family is a close bond that a person has since birth, so it is very emotionally devastating when contact with one or more family members stops. This may lead to episodes of long-lasting sadness and feeling demotivated to improve the relationship with the sibling and hopeless for improvement. When not seeking help, this may turn into an actual depression disorder. [4]

Childhood

When siblings face a substantial breach or distance in their relationship during their formative years, it is referred to as sibling estrangement in childhood. Numerous things, including personality differences, jealousy, rivalry, parental favouritism, or family strife, might contribute to this. Childhood sibling alienation can have a long-lasting impact on a person's emotional growth and relationships in later life. Sibling alienation can cause emotions of loneliness, rejection, and low self-esteem in children, and it can make it difficult for them to build intimate relationships with other people. [2] This study suggests that family conflict caused by things like parental remarriage, divorce, and step-sibling relationships were linked to higher degrees of sibling estrangement in childhood. [5]

Adolescence

Sibling estrangement occurs frequently throughout adolescence, with 15% to 20% of siblings reportedly experiencing severe estrangement at this time in their development. [6] As adolescents explore their own identities and relationships with peers and parents, studies suggest that sibling relationships during adolescence are frequently marked by both closeness and conflict. [7] The quality of the sibling relationship throughout adolescence can impact the psychological adjustment of the siblings and their relationship in adulthood. [8]

Causes

There are factors that may result in sibling estrangement during puberty. For instance, sibling competition can cause estrangement because siblings feel frustrated or jealous of one another's successes or parental attention. [9] A lack of communication and empathy between siblings can result from personality, preference, or disparities in values. Parental partiality worsens the bond between siblings. [8]

Conflicts, particularly arguments or fights, harm sibling relationships permanently. Unresolved issues between siblings during adolescence have been linked to long-term estrangement. This is because siblings tend to hold onto negative feelings and memories. Parental divorce, remarriage, or important life events, such as moving or illness, can potentially disturb the sibling bond and lead to estrangement. [6]

Adulthood

Sibling estrangement in adulthood is caused by a variety of factors including issues originating from childhood such as rivalry and parental favouritism. These causes can also lead to an earlier form of estrangement in childhood and/or unfavourable and negative feelings between siblings which can build up over a longer period of time during the individuals’ youth, resulting in alienation after reaching adulthood. [1]

During adulthood, sibling estrangement seems to be a more temporary phenomenon. [2] Single episodes of estrangement may occur, while multiple episodes are rarer. The vulnerability of sibling relationships seems to increase over time, where older people report being estranged from siblings more often than younger ones. Sibling estrangement can be seen as a healthy coping mechanism for family situations, which can allow for the reconciliation of sibling relationships. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adolescence</span> Human transition from puberty to adult

Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood. Adolescence is usually associated with the teenage years, but its physical, psychological or cultural expressions may begin earlier or end later. Puberty typically begins during preadolescence, particularly in females. Physical growth and cognitive development can extend past the teens. Age provides only a rough marker of adolescence, and scholars have not agreed upon a precise definition. Some definitions start as early as 10 and end as late as 26. The World Health Organization definition officially designates an adolescent as someone between the ages of 10 and 19.

Conduct disorder (CD) is a mental disorder diagnosed in childhood or adolescence that presents itself through a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that includes theft, lies, physical violence that may lead to destruction, and reckless breaking of rules, in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated. These behaviors are often referred to as "antisocial behaviors", and is often seen as the precursor to antisocial personality disorder; however, the latter, by definition, cannot be diagnosed until the individual is 18 years old. Conduct disorder may result from parental rejection and neglect and can be treated with family therapy, as well as behavioral modifications and pharmacotherapy. Conduct disorder is estimated to affect 51.1 million people globally as of 2013.

In social psychology, an interpersonal relation describes a social association, connection, or affiliation between two or more persons. It overlaps significantly with the concept of social relations, which are the fundamental unit of analysis within the social sciences. Relations vary in degrees of intimacy, self-disclosure, duration, reciprocity, and power distribution. The main themes or trends of the interpersonal relations are: family, kinship, friendship, love, marriage, business, employment, clubs, neighborhoods, ethical values, support and solidarity. Interpersonal relations may be regulated by law, custom, or mutual agreement, and form the basis of social groups and societies. They appear when people communicate or act with each other within specific social contexts, and they thrive on equitable and reciprocal compromises.

A love–hate relationship is an interpersonal relationship involving simultaneous or alternating emotions of love and hate—something particularly common when emotions are intense. The term is used frequently in psychology, popular writing and journalism. It can be applied to relationships with inanimate objects, or even concepts, as well as those of a romantic nature or between siblings and parents/children.

Antisocial behaviours are actions which are considered to violate the rights of or otherwise harm others by committing crime or nuisance, such as stealing and physical attack or noncriminal behaviours such as lying and manipulation. It is considered to be disruptive to others in society. This can be carried out in various ways, which includes, but is not limited to, intentional aggression, as well as covert and overt hostility. Anti-social behaviour also develops through social interaction within the family and community. It continuously affects a child's temperament, cognitive ability and their involvement with negative peers, dramatically affecting children's cooperative problem-solving skills. Many people also label behaviour which is deemed contrary to prevailing norms for social conduct as anti-social behaviour. However, researchers have stated that it is a difficult term to define, particularly in the United Kingdom where many acts fall into its category. The term is especially used in British English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical abuse</span> Medical condition

Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury, trauma, bodily harm or other physical suffering to another person or animal by way of bodily contact. Physical abuse is a type of abuse that involves physical violence, such as hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, choking, throwing objects, and using weapons. Physical abuse also includes using restraints or confinement, such as tying someone up, locking them in a room, or restraining them with drugs or alcohol. Physical abuse can also include withholding basic needs, such as food, clothing, or medical care. In addition to the physical injuries caused by physical abuse, it can also lead to psychological trauma, such as fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Physical abuse can occur in any relationship, including those between family members, partners, and caregivers. It can also occur in institutional settings, such as nursing homes, schools, and prisons. Physical abuse can have long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences, and can even be fatal.

Parental alienation is a theorized process through which a child becomes estranged from one parent as the result of the psychological manipulation of another parent. The child's estrangement may manifest itself as fear, disrespect or hostility toward the distant parent, and may extend to additional relatives or parties. The child's estrangement is disproportionate to any acts or conduct attributable to the alienated parent. Parental alienation can occur in any family unit, but is claimed to occur most often within the context of family separation, particularly when legal proceedings are involved, although the participation of professionals such as lawyers, judges and psychologists may also contribute to conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dysfunctional family</span> Type of family

A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuse or all of the above on the part of individual parents occur continuously and regularly. Children that grow up in such families may think such a situation is normal. Dysfunctional families are primarily a result of two adults, one typically overtly abusive and the other codependent, and may also be affected by substance abuse or other forms of addiction, or sometimes by an untreated mental illness. Parents having grown up in a dysfunctional family may over-correct or emulate their own parents. In some cases, the dominant parent will abuse or neglect their children and the other parent will not object, misleading a child to assume blame.

Child psychopathology refers to the scientific study of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Oppositional defiant disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder are examples of psychopathology that are typically first diagnosed during childhood. Mental health providers who work with children and adolescents are informed by research in developmental psychology, clinical child psychology, and family systems. Lists of child and adult mental disorders can be found in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Edition (ICD-10), published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). In addition, the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood is used in assessing mental health and developmental disorders in children up to age five.

Verbal abuse is a type of psychological/mental abuse that involves the use of oral, gestured, and written language directed to a victim. Verbal abuse can include the act of harassing, labeling, insulting, scolding, rebuking, or excessive yelling towards an individual. It can also include the use of derogatory terms, the delivery of statements intended to frighten, humiliate, denigrate, or belittle a person. These kinds of attacks may result in mental and/or emotional distress for the victim.

Emotion dysregulation is a range of emotional responses that do not lie within a desirable scope of emotive response, considering the stimuli.

The trauma model of mental disorders, or trauma model of psychopathology, emphasises the effects of physical, sexual and psychological trauma as key causal factors in the development of psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety as well as psychosis, whether the trauma is experienced in childhood or adulthood. It conceptualises people as having understandable reactions to traumatic events rather than suffering from mental illness.

Personality development encompasses the dynamic construction and deconstruction of integrative characteristics that distinguish an individual in terms of interpersonal behavioral traits. Personality development is ever-changing and subject to contextual factors and life-altering experiences. Personality development is also dimensional in description and subjective in nature. That is, personality development can be seen as a continuum varying in degrees of intensity and change. It is subjective in nature because its conceptualization is rooted in social norms of expected behavior, self-expression, and personal growth. The dominant viewpoint in personality psychology indicates that personality emerges early and continues to develop across one's lifespan. Adult personality traits are believed to have a basis in infant temperament, meaning that individual differences in disposition and behavior appear early in life, potentially before language of conscious self-representation develop. The Five Factor Model of personality maps onto the dimensions of childhood temperament. This suggests that individual differences in levels of the corresponding personality traits are present from young ages.

Transitional age youth can reference both a developmental period and be a descriptor regarding eligibility for certain services. While there are variations in definitions, the age ranges do consistently overlap and include late adolescence to early adulthood. This range is considered a critical period in human development characterized by several changes socially, environmentally, and cognitively. During this time, individuals can experience changes in their social roles and function, family and peer supports, exposure to substance use, educational and vocational programs, as well as changes in healthcare providers from pediatric to adult settings.

Sibling abuse includes the physical, psychological, or sexual abuse of one sibling by another. More often than not, the younger sibling is abused by the older sibling. Sibling abuse is the most common of family violence in the US, but the least reported. As opposed to sibling rivalry, sibling abuse is characterized by the one-sided treatment of one sibling to another.

Childhood trauma is often described as serious adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Children may go through a range of experiences that classify as psychological trauma; these might include neglect, abandonment, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse, witnessing abuse of a sibling or parent, or having a mentally ill parent. These events have profound psychological, physiological, and sociological impacts and can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being such as unsocial behaviors, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sleep disturbances. Similarly, children whose mothers have experienced traumatic or stressful events during pregnancy have an increased risk of mental health disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substance abuse prevention</span> Measures to prevent the consumption of licit and illicit drugs

Substance abuse prevention, also known as drug abuse prevention, is a process that attempts to prevent the onset of substance use or limit the development of problems associated with using psychoactive substances. Prevention efforts may focus on the individual or their surroundings. A concept that is known as "environmental prevention" focuses on changing community conditions or policies so that the availability of substances is reduced as well as the demand. Individual Substance Abuse Prevention, also known as drug abuse prevention involves numerous different sessions depending on the individual to help cease or reduce the use of substances. The time period to help a specific individual can vary based upon many aspects of an individual. The type of Prevention efforts should be based upon the individual's necessities which can also vary. Substance use prevention efforts typically focus on minors and young adults – especially between 12–35 years of age. Substances typically targeted by preventive efforts include alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, coke, methamphetamine, steroids, club drugs, and opioids. Community advocacy against substance use is imperative due to the significant increase in opioid overdoses in the United States alone. It has been estimated that about one hundred and thirty individuals continue to lose their lives daily due to opioid overdoses alone.

Mental disorders diagnosed in childhood can be neurodevelopmental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. These disorders negatively impact the mental and social wellbeing of a child, and children with these disorders require support from their families and schools. Childhood mental disorders often persist into adulthood. These disorders are usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence, as laid out in the DSM-5 and in the ICD-11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sibling relationship</span> Relationship between siblings

Siblings play a unique role in one another's lives that simulates the companionship of parents as well as the influence and assistance of friends. Because siblings often grow up in the same household, they have a large amount of exposure to one another, like other members of the immediate family. However, though a sibling relationship can have both hierarchical and reciprocal elements, this relationship tends to be more egalitarian and symmetrical than with family members of other generations. Furthermore, sibling relationships often reflect the overall condition of cohesiveness within a family.

Family estrangement is the loss of a previously existing relationship between family members, through physical and/or emotional distancing, often to the extent that there is negligible or no communication between the individuals involved for a prolonged period.

References

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