Normative and nonnormative pattern in achievement of developmental tasks: Sibling relationship quality and life satisfaction during emerging adulthood

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to investigate whether twins and siblings close in age (1) present a normative pattern in the achievement of residential, working, and economic autonomy (the older sibling assumes a more adult role earlier than the younger, or twins assume an adult role at the same time); (2) differ in sibling relationship quality; and whether the normativity is linked (3) to the quality of sibling relationship and (4) to life satisfaction. A cross-sectional study on 145 emerging adults was conducted. Twins present a normative development pattern more frequently and a warmer sibling relationship than non-twin siblings. A normative development pattern is related to sibling relationships but not to the level of life satisfaction. In particular, normativity in residential conditions is linked with warmer sibling relationships, while nonnormativity in economic conditions is linked to more rivalrous relationships. These data support the assumption that during emerging adulthood a normative development pattern is linked to a more positive sibling relationship.