Having fewer siblings or a larger age gap between siblings may mean that teens have better mental health.
That’s according to a recent study published in the Journal of Family Issues. Researchers analyzed the responses of 9,400 Chinese and nearly 9,100 American eighth graders to questions about mental health. They found that Chinese students with no siblings reported the best mental health, while American students with no siblings or one sibling reported the best mental health. Teens who reported the best mental health also came from families with the highest socioeconomic advantage.
The researchers say their findings support the concept of resource dilution.
“If you think of parental resources as a pie, having one child means you get the whole pie,” said study author Doug Downey, “but when you have additional siblings, each child receives fewer resources and attention from their parents, which could have implications for children’s mental health.”
Dr. Claire Cloche, a pediatrician at Advocate Children’s Hospital, recommends taking the study’s findings with a pinch of salt.
“There is a wealth of research pointing to the benefits of having close, positive relationships with siblings, especially as you get older and enter adulthood. If you’re considering having more children, it’s definitely important to consider resource allocation, your time and mental health. Having children is a very personal decision that should be made by you and your partner/family.”
