Sibling Relationships and Cognitive Trajectories
Author Information
Author(s): Lee Gina, Engelman Michal, Kong Jooyoung
Primary Institution: University of Wisconsin Madison
Hypothesis
The study explores the impact of sibling relationships on cognitive functioning in middle and older adulthood.
Conclusion
Sibling closeness and emotional support are linked to better letter fluency in later life, but do not affect changes over time.
Supporting Evidence
- Sibling relationships are positively associated with psychological well-being over time.
- The study used data spanning 27 years to analyze sibling relationships.
- Participants who experienced a steep decline in letter fluency had siblings with similar declines.
Takeaway
Having a close relationship with your siblings can help you think better as you get older.
Methodology
The study used four waves of data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study to analyze sibling relationships and cognitive measures.
Limitations
The study does not address the impact of sibling relationships on cognitive change over time.
Participant Demographics
Participants were siblings from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, aged approximately 54, 65, and 72 during the study periods.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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