In many ways, sibling rivalry is an integral part of growing up in a multiple-child household – the arguments, the jealousy, the competition. But as we explore in this episode, those sibling dynamics often don’t stop in childhood, but actually following us into our 20s and adulthood, shaping how we see ourselves, relate to our families, and how we carry old roles. 

We explore:
•        Why a level of rivalry is developmentally expected
•        The evolutionary perspective on resource competition
•        The role of birth order and family roles
•        How sibling rivalry can transpire in adulthood
•        How to begin acknowledging and rewriting old roles

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Our favourite sources: 
https://prevention.psu.edu/news/the-psychology-behind-sibling-rivalry/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10567-011-0104-5

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X211064876

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-016-0429-2

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.