New Study From NC State Finds Causes of Sibling Jealousy

Researchers have finally turned to children themselves to determine what causes sibling jealousy.

In a recent study on the issue, North Carolina State University Professor Amy Halberstadt, 919/515-1730 or amy_halberstadt@ncsu.edu, asked fifth- and sixth-grade children what makes them jealous of their brothers and sisters. Halberstadt found children were able to pinpoint four key issues that cause jealousy between siblings: if one sibling receives a gift and the other does not; if parents tend to take one sibling’s side over another’s when there is conflict (e.g., Suzy broke the toy truck, but I got blamed); if parents spend more time with one sibling than another; and if one sibling gets more attention than another due to a talent or skill (e.g., Suzy gets all the attention because she is good at bowling).

The results of the study suggest that children take note of what their parents do and say, and want their parents’ attention and love. They also show that children are able to report what really matters to them.

Halberstadt is a professor of psychology in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and studies family relationships and emotional experience and expression.

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