Relationships within the family, those between children and parents, as well as those between siblings, influence the developing person. Birth order can affect an individual's personality development. parents may treat older children differently from younger children. Older siblings exhibit personality traits that differ from their younger siblings. Specifically, firstborn children tend to have higher self-esteem than later born children
Birth category may affect a person's level of self-esteem. Falbo (1981) conducted a study to examine the relationship between birth order and certain personality characteristics. Eight hundred forty-one male and 944 female undergraduate students were each paid three dollars to complete several personality instruments and a background questionnaire, including a 16-item device used to measure self-esteem. Falbo found that self-esteem was higher among firstborn children than later born children. He also found that firstborn children tend to be more competitive than their younger siblings.
An individual's relation to his siblings may affect his self-image. Gates, Lineberger, Crockett, and Hubbard (1988) conducted a study about birth order and how it relates to depression, anxiety, and self-concept. Gates et al. used three different scales, including one designed to measure the level of self-concept. The children questioned ranged in age from 7 to 12 and were selected from public and private schools. All items were read to all children to account for possible differences in reading levels. Gates et al. found that the self-concept scores were higher for firstborn children than second-born and youngest-born children. A high self-concept score indicated a high level of self-esteem.
Self-esteem, including how one believes he is appraised by others, may be related to birth order. Schwab and Lundgren (1978) conducted two related studies. In the first study, 82 male and 82 female undergraduate students were questioned about their self-esteem, as well as their perceived public-esteem. The results showed that self-esteem was higher for firstborn children than for late born children. The second study was similar, but examined possible differences between males and females. Self-esteem was still higher for firstborn children as compared to later born children, regardless of sex.
An individual's personality development is influenced greatly by his place in the family and his relationship with parents and siblings. The studies discussed here suggest that perhaps firstborn children benefit from the attention they receive before their siblings are born. Another suggestion is that children tend to compare themselves to their siblings. Therefore, firstborn children would benefit from being the oldest, probably the biggest, and the first to reach many milestones. consequently, these areas need to be examined in future studies. While conflicting data does exist, and further research is necessary, the empirical evidence in these studies shows that firstborn children tend to have higher self-esteem than later born children. Birth order can affect an individual's personality development. Parents may treat older children differently from younger children. Older siblings exhibit personality traits that differ from their younger siblings. Specifically, firstborn children tend to have higher self-esteem than laterborn children.
Falbo, (1981). Relationships between birth category, achievement, and interpersonal orientation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 41 (1), 121-131.
Gates, L., Lineberger, M.R., Crockett, J. & Hubbard, J. (1988). Birth order and its relationship to depression, anxiety, and self-concept test scores in children. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 149 (1), 29-34.
Schwab, R., & Lundgren, C. (1978). Birth order, perceived appraisals by significant others, and self-esteem. Psychological Reports, 43 (2), 443-454.
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