RESEARCH_FILE
Karsten Hank
University of Cologne, Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology
Known for:Large panel-data research on sibling estrangement and family estrangement across adulthood
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“My sibling has always been the favorite”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“Their preference for my sibling is about them, not a final judgment about me.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
For three days, each time you feel the 'favorite' thought arrive during or after a family interaction, pause and write down only what happened and what was said—no interpretation. Review the list for patterns in what you're counting as evidence.
Key findings
- 2023
Using six years of panel data on 5,729 adults, 28% reported at least one episode of estrangement from a sibling, and estrangement was best predicted by structural features of the sibling relationship and disruptive family events like parental divorce or death. Sibling Estrangement in Adulthood ↗
- 2024
Follow-up work on the same panel finds that adults who are estranged from a family member report lower life satisfaction and more depressiveness than those who are not — estrangement is not a neutral or cost-free outcome. Family Estrangement and Its Association with Life Satisfaction and Depressiveness in Adulthood ↗