POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL DEATH ON ADULT SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS

摘要

How does the death of a parent affect the adult sibling relationship? Different theoretical perspectives suggest different outcomes. A solidarity perspective implies mostly positive effects on the sibling tie. In this perspective, the death of a parent is a major life event which increases the need for family support. A structural perspective implies mostly negative effects. In this perspective, the death of a parent implies the disappearance of a coordinating member in the family network, thereby gradually weakening the relationship between adult sibings. To test the perspectives, we analyze data from the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study, a large-scale survey that was collected over three waves between 2003 and 2010. The data allow us to examine changes in the sibling relationship before and after the death of the first and second parent. A range of characteristics of the sibling relationship can be used, including contact, support exchange, conflict, and quality.