Having A Sister Can Be Good For Your Overall Emotional Well-Being, Unlike Brothers, Study Suggests

Aug 02, 2019 by apost team

Growing up with a female sibling might help with your mental wellbeing in the longrun. 

According to a 2015 study by the University of Ulster and the DeMontfort University, sisters may improve family relationships and increase self-efficacy, optimism, and perceived social support.

Having a sibling can teach you love, friendship, and companionship from a very early age. You grow up fighting, understanding and finally accepting the differences and focussing more on the bond that you share with your brother or sister. This learning comes handy for later in life.

The advantage of growing up with a sister is that you're more likely to express yourself better and communicate your problems well, signifying positive mental health, the study says.

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Professor Tony Cassidy of the University of Ulster, who carried out the study, spoke to the Telegraph about another survey which found the same results in 2009. 

 "Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion in families," he told the publication. "However, brothers seem to have the alternative effect. Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families."

The study suggested that women with sisters are likely more independent and ambitious. These findings were more obvious in families from broken homes, perhaps because sisters will depend on each other for support following their parent's separation. 

The same, however, could not be said about boys. 

"It could be that boys have a natural tendency not to talk about things," said Professor Cassidy. "With boys together it is about a conspiracy of silence not to talk. Girls tend to break that down."

Do you have a sister? Let your siblings know how grateful they should be for having you in their life by showing them this article!