Sibling Problem-Solving as a Mediator between Sibling Closeness and Social Motivations

Social motives, such as social admiration, prosocial behavior, and sociability, become increasingly important for emerging adults as they transition into adulthood and must establish their identity and relationships with others. Sibling relationships may assist in this process as closeness between siblings can improve emerging adults' abilities to problem solve, which serves as a useful skill in social settings. Sibling birth order may also influence how emerging adults perceive their sibling relationships and its effect on their social experiences. This study (N=189) examined sibling problem solving as a mediator between closeness with a younger sibling and later social motives, while accounting for parent and peer closeness. Closeness with younger siblings predicted better sibling problem-solving skills, which predicted social admiration, prosocial, but not sociability motives. Results differed between eldest and middle-born siblings. Findings suggest that continued relationships with younger siblings in emerging adulthood may improve social motives, such that constructive and close relationships with siblings should be encouraged to support later social development.