The Secret to Happiness: Sisters!

By Alex in Baby & Kids on Apr 15, 2009 at 3:38 pm

What’s the secret to happiness? According to a study by the University of Ulster, the answer is: having sisters!

Lead researcher Professor Tony Cassidy said: "Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion in families.

"However, brothers seemed to have the alternative effect. Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families."

He said many of the participants had been brought up in families where parents had split and the impact of sisters was even more marked in these circumstances.

"I think these findings could be used by people offering support to families and children during distressing times. We may have to think carefully about the way we deal with families with lots of boys."

Link

Tags: happiness, sisters, social experiment, Tony Cassidy

Neat stuff from the NeatoShop:

nickolas_warner
Apr 15th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Yeah right. Sisters are the secret to depression. I couldn’t count the number of times I was terrorized by my little sister. (crap that made me sound like a wimp)
Miss Cellania
Apr 15th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
OK, am I doomed because I don’t have a sister? Can I count my sister-in-law? At least my daughters each have a sister -and soon to have four more!
Frau
Apr 15th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
“Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families -
Professor Tony Cassidy, lead researcher”

AHAHAHAHA!!!!
We did a lot of “emotional expression” in the way of knock down, drag out, hair pulling, nail scratching, finger biting fights. Prompting poor psychological health for our mother.
We are both adults now and still do not get along.

I think Professor Tony needs his credentials checked.
jwlash
Apr 15th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I love my sister dearly. Though we have our spats, we are great friends, too. I agree with the findings of this study 100%!!
Jill Harness
Apr 15th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
My sister is a downright biatch and won’t even let me see my niece. Bleh.
Creamy
Apr 15th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
You are right, a sister doesn’t guarantee happiness.
It depends on the personnality of the sister, but I am convinced that an affectionate sister is a big help to develop social abilities.
PS: sorry for my poor english, I’m french.
beckster
Apr 15th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
brb e-mailing this to my sisters
Pegi
Apr 16th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I have 3 sisters and we all bonded together against a common enemy… my brother!! lol
I agree that having a support group of loving sisters can be very good for your emotional health in the long run, that’s not to say we didn’t fight when we were growing up or even now.
laly
Apr 16th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I only hope that this “study” makes the Ig Nobel Prizes short list…
SenorMysterioso
Apr 17th, 2009 at 3:51 am
My sister is the number one cause of misery in my life. One minute in her presence can undo a days worth of happiness.

Whenever I see people with strong bonds to their siblings I am fascinated.

Keep track of the comments with

Comment RSS

Lijit Search

The latest from NeatoBambino: