Family and sibling relationships as predicters of adolescents subjective well-being

The purpose of this study is to determinate sibling relationships and family functioning predicted to what extent subjective well-being in adolescents. Research has been studied on a sample of 951 (508 female, 443 male) including 6, 7, 8 middle school students who were studying in 7 central district of Adana. The data of adolescents subjective well-being was collected by using "Adolescent Subjective Well-Being Scale" (Eryılmaz, 2009), the data abaut sibling relationships measured by "Sibling Relationship Questionnaire" (Furman and Buhrmester, 1985), the data of family functioning "Family Assessment Scale" (Bulut, 1990) and a personal data "Personal İnformation Form" that was prepared by researcher. The was analyzed by using Multiple Regression Analysis. The results of the study revealed a positive meaningful relationship between intimacy/warmth and competition and satisfaction in relationships with family, in other important relationships between satisfaction, life satisfaction and positive feelings. Whereas a negative meaningful relationship between conflict, satisfaction in relationships with family satisfaction, life satisfaction and negative feelings. According to the figures, a positive meaningful relationship exists between intimacy/warmth and competition however a negative meaningful relationship is observed in the case of conflict. The sub categories of the Sibling Relationship Survey reveal a positive meaningful relationship with all of the sub categories of the Family Evaluation Chart regarding intimacy/warmth. A positive meaningful relationship was found between competition and problem solving, communication, roles, ability to emotional response, behavior control and general functions. All levels of family functions showed a positive meaningful relationship with all levels of Teenage Subjective Well Being Scale. The communication and general functions level of family functions and the intimacy/warmth level of sibling relationships are found to be significantly contributing variables in predicting the subjective well-being of students. It was found that adolescents perceived satisfaction from relationships with family predicted the dimensions of sibling relationships; intimacy/warmth and competition. And family functioning predicted the dimensions of communication, show interest and general functions. Wheras perceived satisfaction from relationships with important people predicted the dimentions of sibling relationships; intimacy/warmth and competition. And family functioning predicted the dimention of communication. It was indicated that adolescents life satisfaction predictors were the dimentions of sibling relationships as intimacy/warmth and competition; the dimentions of family functioning as communication and general functions. Wheras positive emotions predicted the dimensions of sibling relationships; intimacy/warmth and competition. And family functioning predicted the dimentions of communication and general functions. Keywords: subjective well-being, family functioning, sibling relationships