Indian Journal of Positive Psychology

Aneesh Kumar ¹, Shinto Thomas ², Sibnath Deb ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Christ University, Bengaluru, IN
2 Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, IN

Abstract

Adolescence is a major developmental stage characterised by marked growth and development. Family and other significant people play very crucial role during this developmental stage. Sibling relations are given due importance as children grow together and share the same environment. These relations whether positive or disturbing have impact on the adolescent's coping and development even it persists throughout their life. The present secondary research based article aims to understand the dynamics of sibling relations and its impact on adolescent's life. Evidence indicates that sibling relations depend on various factors such as family type, structure, size, economic conditions and gender of the siblings and other factors. A positive and congenial sibling relation helps moulding a child into a sound person whereas disturbing or unfriendly relations including rivalry, bullying and sexual or physical abuse has negative impact on development and can cause severe consequences ranging shame, aggression or fear to severe anxiety, depression and other mental and physical health hazards. Sibling relation often reflects in adolescent's personality, socialisation and interpersonal skills. Evidences also indicate that sibling support and healthy relation can boost up confidence and healthy mental development of adolescent even in adolescent with disability or other disorders. Parents and professionals often fail to understand the dynamics and importance of sibling relation and sometimes incidences of sexual abuse or other potential risks goes unnoticed. The paper recommends the need for family and community-based awareness and effective parenting programs. Also it calls for the attention from professional, parents and researchers to unearth the dynamics of sibling relations.

Keywords

Adolescents Mental Health, Sibling Relations, Abuse, Rivalry, Protective Factors.

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Shinto Thomas ¹, K. Alphonsa Jose ²

Affiliations
1 Department of psychology Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous) Bangalore, Karnataka, IN
2 Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, IN

Abstract

The term emerging adults is a relatively new term used to denote the individuals aged between 18-24 years. The researchers have pointed out that this age group is quite different and unique and different terminologies used at present are inadequate in showcasing the unique characteristics of this age group. Previous researchers would agree on one point that emerging adulthood is a stage where individual's productive contribution to society begins and they really possesses huge potentials for growth and development. At the same time more vulnerable to risk behaviors and unhealthy lifestyle habits which will hamper the finest actualization of their potentials. So, how the emerging adults could be molded in such a way that will minimize their vulnerability to risk behaviors? During the previous developmental year's society and parents had significant role in character formation and development, but in emerging adulthood it is more of individual himself and the peers around him. The role of family and society becomes very minimal because of their unique characteristics as emerging adulthood. In such scenario, how can we reduce the emerging adults' vulnerability to risk behaviors? Positive psychology has a significant role to play here. Moldings and interventions based on Positive psychology approach in early years would equip the individual to overcome their vulnerability to risk behaviors. These intervention aims at identifying and nurturing positive character strengths of the individual in the early years. This chapter emphasizes the role of identifying and fostering positive strengths and culture-specific values in early years and adolescents so that when they become emerging adults they would be highly productive and truitful citizens and won't spoil theirs as well as the nation's future by engaging in risk behaviors and national asseth.

Keywords

Positive Character Strengths, Positive Contribution, Emerging Adults.

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