What does this research mean for the field?

Positive sibling relationship quality and having a sibling with a disability or illness are associated with greater empathy, though having a sibling is not strictly necessary for empathy development as only children do not differ in empathy levels. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To synthesize research examining the associations between empathy and sibling status, relationship quality, and the presence of a sibling with a disability or illness.

September 2, 2026Personal RelationshipsOpen Access

Empathy in the Context of Sibling Relationships: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review

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Authors

AKAnnika L. Klugmann TKTina Kretschmer

Discussion

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Overview

Meta-analysis and systematic review reveals positive links between sibling relationship quality and empathy across ages, suggesting multiple developmental pathways for empathic behavior.

Key Points

To synthesize research examining the associations between empathy and sibling status, relationship quality, and the presence of a sibling with a disability or illness.
Conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of 118 effect sizes across 26 samples comprising 6,665 participants aged 10 months to 81 years.
Synthesized findings from 9 qualitative studies encompassing 101 participants and evaluated study quality and effect-size heterogeneity.
Higher sibling relationship quality demonstrated a significant positive association with greater empathy (r = 0.25).
Individuals with a sibling having a disability or chronic illness exhibited higher empathy levels (r = 0.10).
Empathy levels did not differ significantly between only children and individuals with siblings.

Cite This Study

Klugmann et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e275c562ede874ec69c9 https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.70088

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September 2, 2026Personal RelationshipsOpen Access

Empathy in the Context of Sibling Relationships: A Meta‐Analysis and Systematic Review

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

AKAnnika L. Klugmann TKTina Kretschmer

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Meta-analysis and systematic review reveals positive links between sibling relationship quality and empathy across ages, suggesting multiple developmental pathways for empathic behavior.

Key Points

To synthesize research examining the associations between empathy and sibling status, relationship quality, and the presence of a sibling with a disability or illness.
Conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of 118 effect sizes across 26 samples comprising 6,665 participants aged 10 months to 81 years.
Synthesized findings from 9 qualitative studies encompassing 101 participants and evaluated study quality and effect-size heterogeneity.
Higher sibling relationship quality demonstrated a significant positive association with greater empathy (r = 0.25).
Individuals with a sibling having a disability or chronic illness exhibited higher empathy levels (r = 0.10).
Empathy levels did not differ significantly between only children and individuals with siblings.

Cite This Study

Klugmann et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e275c562ede874ec69c9 https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.70088

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark