Loss of the Kin-Keeper?: Sibling Conflict Following Parental Death

This study explores the relationship between sibling conflict and parental loss. Logistic regression analysis of the first wave of the National Survey of Families and Households ( n = 8,654), indicates that respondents who have experienced the death of at least one parent and those who have a parent in ill-health are more likely to report that they do not get along well with a sibling. Older respondents, African Americans, Hispanics, and respondents in good or excellent health are less likely to have conflict with a sibling. Sibling conflict may have serious consequences for the exchange of sibling support in old age. Implications of these findings for research, practice, and policy are discussed.