From intergenerational conflict to intra-generational conflict: A comparison between university students and their teenage siblings

In recent years, studies on intergenerational relationships have increased and this field has been examined from various perspectives. The acceleration of social change due to technological advancements has made intergenerational relationships an important research topic in social sciences. The constantly changing social roles, interpersonal communication, and family relationships highlight the growing importance of these studies. This study proposes that conflicts may not only occur between different generations but also within the same generation. It specifically focuses on the relationships between university students and their adolescent siblings. The study was conducted using an in-depth interview technique within the framework of qualitative research. In this context, individual interviews were conducted with 10 university students and 10 adolescent siblings. The use of this method allowed for a detailed examination of participants' experiences and perceptions. The data were analyzed using content analysis and thematic analysis techniques, reflecting the complexity and diversity of intra- generational relationships. Conflict and harmony points between older and younger siblings were carefully examined and analyzed. The findings contribute to our understanding of intra-generational communication dynamics and the social, psychological, and cultural factors underlying these dynamics. This study particularly explored the impact of digital world interactions between older and younger siblings on values and lifestyles. Despite the small age gap, it was revealed how their perspectives on life and social values could differ. The examination of intra- generational relationships is an important step in understanding the complexity of conflict and harmony. The findings provide new perspectives to the literature and emphasize the depth and diversity of relationships within the same generation.