Investigation of lifelong sibling relationships of young adults in terms of sense of family cohesion

This study aimed to examine young adults' lifelong sibling relationships in terms of family cohesion. The study explored whether there were significant differences in young adults' lifelong sibling relationships based on gender, marital status, number of siblings, birth order, sibling loss, whether the selected sibling was older or younger, age difference between siblings, gender and marital status of the selected sibling. Additionally, it investigated the predictability of lifelong sibling relationships on the dimensions of family cohesion: meaningfulness, manageability, and comprehensibility. The study sample consisted of 402 volunteer young adults selected through random sampling, including 309 women and 93 men. Data was collected using the "Lifelong Sibling Relationships Scale," validated and reliability-tested by Öz, Sosyal-Yurdabakan-Uz Baş, and Aysan (2016), and the 12-item "Family Cohesion Scale-Short Form," adapted into Turkish by Çeçen (2007). A researcher-developed personal information form was used to gather demographic information. A relational screening model was employed in the study, and descriptive statistical methods were used for data analysis. Independent samples t-test was used to examine whether there were significant differences in lifelong sibling relationships based on gender, marital status, sibling loss, whether the sibling was older or younger, sibling gender, and marital status. One-way analysis of variance was used to examine sibling number, birth order, and age difference between siblings. Regression analysis was used to explore the predictability of lifelong sibling relationships and family cohesion. According to the research findings, family cohesion predicts young adults' relationships with their siblings. There are significant differences between young adults' lifelong sibling relationships and gender, and the gender of the selected sibling. However, no significant differences were found in terms of marital status, whether the sibling was older or younger, sibling loss, sibling number, birth order, age difference between siblings, sibling gender, and marital status. Given the importance of family ties in societal development, the results of this study on sibling relationships and family cohesion are significant. There is a scarcity of studies focusing on relationships established among family members during young adulthood. This study aims to strengthen the literature in the field by focusing on lifelong sibling relationships, the longest-lasting type of relationship established within families over the course of life.