Transitions and transformations in sibling relationships: Characteristics of Turkish and US young adults’ sibling-related turning-point memories

Abstract

This study investigated the narrative characteristics of Turkish and U.S. young adults’ sibling-related turning-point memories across gender, age orders, and cultures. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 45 Turkish and 27 U.S. college students who had only one sibling. Participants were asked two main narrative questions: whether they have a close and personal relationship with their sibling and there is a turning point in their sibling relationships. Participants’ answers to these questions were coded on a number of narrative dimensions which are thematic categories, presence of personal relationship, direction of change in relationship quality, narrative style, transformativeness, and emotional valence. Three themes emerged in turning-point memories: developmental events, transitions, and growth; negative life events and challenges; and change in context. Results revealed no significant differences in turning-point memories between females and males, and between Turkish and U.S. populations. The findings indicated the unique role of siblings in the context of significant relationships regardless of gender and culture.