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Rivalry, solidarity, and longevity among siblings

Author

Listed:
  • Robyn Donrovich

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Paul Puschmann

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Koen Matthijs

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

Abstract

Background: Family composition and household dynamics, both in early and in later life, influence individual health and longevity. Both positive and negative effects can be expected in terms of sibling size and composition. On one hand, siblings compete with each other, which may lead to resource dilution and increased adult mortality risks. On the other hand, siblings protect and care for each other, which may have a positive impact on longevity. Objective: To investigate the way in which sibling composition (with respect to sibship size, sex, and birth order) in the family of orientation and the proximity of siblings in later life relates to adult mortality risks at ages 50+. Methods: Life courses of 258 men and 275 women from the Antwerp COR*-database were 'reconstructed' and analyzed by way of event history analysis using Gompertz shared frailty models. Results: Being higher in birth order related to significantly higher mortality risk after age 50 for men. Having older brothers, particularly those present in later life, was associated with very high excess mortality risk for both sexes, though men were more strongly disadvantaged. Having (more) younger sisters present at RP (research person) age 50 was related to significantly lower relative mortality risk for women. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the complex relationships between sibling and gender dynamics and mortality risk in later life. Evidence of a lasting impact of sibling competition on mortality risk over age 50 is found; and competition is only replaced by solidarity in critical times (e.g., widowhood), wherein older sibling presence dissimilarly impacts different social groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Robyn Donrovich & Paul Puschmann & Koen Matthijs, 2014. "Rivalry, solidarity, and longevity among siblings," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 31(38), pages 1167-1198.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:31:y:2014:i:38
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2014.31.38
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    Cited by:

    1. Kai Pierre Willführ & Johannes Johow & Eckart Voland, 2018. "When the mother-in-law is just as good—Differential mortality of reproductive females by family network composition," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Cristina Giudici & Silvia Polettini & Alessandra Rose & Nicolas Brouard, 2019. "Which Aspects of Elderly Living Conditions are Important to Predict Mortality? The Complex Role of Family Ties at Home and in Institutions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 142(3), pages 1255-1283, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    longevity; gender; event history analysis; life course analysis; mortality risk; resource dilution; early life conditions; sibship size; 19th century; Belgium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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