Brother-sister is the best example of ‘frenzy’. One moment, they’re fighting over the TV remote, and the next, they’re being responsible for each other in front of their parents. Now, a study published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B has revealed the inherent cognitive value of a strong sibling relationship. It found that positive and close sibling relationships in childhood, as well as close contact in adulthood, help maintain cognitive abilities into old age. It is no wonder that only our brothers and sisters can take care of us till old age.
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Types of childhood sibling interactions
Researchers classified the interactions between siblings in childhood into two types – positive and negative. Positive childhood interactions include supporting, hugging, helping, and other healthy behaviors that promote better cognitive health in older age. Siblings who had positive interactions in childhood are more likely to remain in touch and close as adults.
The researchers also detailed another type—negative sibling interactions, which involve constant arguments, aggression, or conflict. Interestingly, these negative interactions do not significantly shape relationship dynamics as children grow up to become adults. Instead of negative childhood interactions, a dysfunctional family environment ruins brother-sister relationships.
According to the study, there were two main parameters of the adult brother-sister relationship: emotional closeness and contact frequency. Instead of negative childhood experiences, toxic family environments filled with abuse, neglect, and violence isolated siblings and reduced their closeness, making them less likely to stay in touch as they grew up.
Sibling bonding and cognitive health in old age
Researchers emphasized that positive social interactions of any kind reduce stress, enhance mental processes, and promote overall mental well-being. The brother-sister bond is a relationship that, whether through pulling each other’s leg or lending a shoulder during tough times, it supports mental well-being like no other.
Frequency of adult sibling contact was an important factor in supporting cognitive health. Regular sibling interactions through visits or calls in adulthood provided much-needed mental stimulation and emotional support, which helped protect against age-related cognitive decline.
Sibling interaction in adulthood is not solely determined by how they treated each other in childhood, but family dynamics also factor into it.
According to the findings, if they had cordial and positive relationships, they were more likely to maintain a close relationship. However, a negative relationship during childhood does not mean that they will be different when they become adults. In fact, toxic family environments have a huge impact on the sibling bond, often resulting in less contact or separation in adulthood. Adverse childhood experiences emerge as a significant barrier to sibling relationships in adulthood, inevitably impacting their cognitive health as they lose one of the closest, lifelong relationships.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
