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Why Having a Sister Makes You Happier

According to several recent studies, people who grow up with sisters are happier than those who don't.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on October 29 2010
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Picasa Creative Commons image by Edward Wynimko.

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Do you have a sister? Sure, you may have had your share of hair-pulling, fighting over toys, and schoolyard dramas when you were kids—but even so, you probably know how lucky you are to have her in your life. Not to knock brothers, but a new series of studies reveals what many of us instinctively know: having a sister makes you happier.

One of the studies, carried out by researchers from University of Ulster and De Montfort University, found that people who had at least one sister were better able to cope with problems and communicate their emotions. “Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families,” said researcher Tony Cassidy.

They saw stronger effects on children whose parents had divorced, showing that sisters often provide much-needed moral support during times of crisis.

So why do sisters make us happier? Sure, you’ll find some sensitive dudes, but women generally tend to be more willing to discuss emotions and personal lives than men are. And when you grow up in an environment in which you’re encouraged to calmly discuss your problems and fears, you’re likely to be better adjusted than someone raised in a boys-only household, where baseball serves as a substitute for serious conversation.

Plenty of people grow up to be well-adjusted even without a sister. But if you’ve got one, give her a hug—she may have helped you become the happy person you are today.

Filed under: Health and Wellbeing,

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