Ambivalence in Adult Sibling Relationships

Abstract

The present study attempted to understand the contradictions in the literature concerning the persistence of ambivalence in adult sibling relationships. It examined a potential source of systematic variation—gender and developmental differences in awareness of underlying feelings about one's age-near, same-sex sibling. Respondents were a random sample of 60 eligible child-rearing (CR) and empty nest (EN) subjects, age 30 to 69. Underlying feelings about the targeted sibling were assessed using the Sibling Thematic Apperception Test. Conscious feelings were assessed using selfreport scales of positive feelings, negative feelings, and contact frequency. For CR women, ratings and corresponding theme frequencies of the projective stories were significantly correlated, but only for positive aspects of the relationship. For EN women, correlations were limited to negative aspects. Contact frequency was strongly associated with separation concerns for CR men and EN women. These findings partially support the differential effects of the “parent˙al imperative” and its aftermath on personality characteristics, particularly for women.