It is a phenomenon that can occur in families for various reasons such as unresolved conflicts, personality differences, distance, or life events.
Sibling relationships can be impacted by differences in communication methods, such as conflict resolution techniques or the ability to reveal personal information.
[2] For instance, a sibling who has experienced abuse may find it difficult to trust them or feel secure in their presence, which might result in alienation.
Life events are just one of several factors that can contribute to sibling estrangement, and their precise role may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
The impacts of sibling abuse can endure a lifetime for those affected, increasing their vulnerability to mental health disorders and interpersonal interaction troubles.
Mental health issues could also affect the ability of siblings to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts that can drive them apart.
[2] Certain genetic predispositions, such as temperament or personality traits, affect how siblings interact with each other and their ability to resolve conflicts.
Numerous things, including personality differences, jealousy, rivalry, parental favouritism, or family strife, might contribute to this.
Childhood sibling alienation can have a long-lasting impact on a person's emotional growth and relationships in later life.
Sibling alienation can cause emotions of loneliness, rejection, and low self-esteem in children, and it can make it difficult for them to build intimate relationships with other people.
[2] This study suggests that family conflict caused by things like parental remarriage, divorce, and step-sibling relationships were linked to higher degrees of sibling estrangement in childhood.
Parental divorce, remarriage, or important life events, such as moving or illness, can potentially disturb the sibling bond and lead to estrangement.
[6] Sibling estrangement in adulthood is caused by a variety of factors including issues originating from childhood such as rivalry and parental favouritism.
These causes can also lead to an earlier form of estrangement in childhood and/or unfavourable and negative feelings between siblings which can build up over a longer period of time during the individuals’ youth, resulting in alienation after reaching adulthood.