Familial strife escalates to poisonous levels in the United Arab Emirates, as hidden disputes among siblings wreak havoc on loved ones.
In a revealing study by UAE-based psychiatrists, long-term unresolved sibling resentment has been linked to significant negative effects on a person's emotional health and relationships. This resentment, if left unaddressed, can lead to emotional numbness, anxiety, depression, chronic mental health strain, emotional breakdowns, and even suicidal ideation [1].
Unresolved emotional conflicts can cause persistent isolation and deterioration in interpersonal dynamics, contributing to dysfunction that may extend into adulthood. Dr. Nada Omer Elbashir, a consultant psychiatrist in Abu Dhabi, explains that prolonged resentment and emotional disconnection often result from avoidance of conflict and cultural or societal pressures that discourage confrontation [1].
This emotional disconnection can manifest in various ways, such as verbal abuse including name-calling, insults, character attacks, and gaslighting. A 10-year-old girl in Dubai, for instance, exhibited behavioural changes and escalating rivalry with her 12-year-old sister. Her actions included frequent crying outbursts, damaging her sister's clothes, hiding her books before exams, breaking toys, picking fights, and complaining about her parents to extended family members [2].
The roots of such resentment often stem from childhood, as was the case for the girl whose feelings of being less valued compared to her sibling started at the age of six and developed into deep-seated resentment over the years [2].
Unaddressed sibling resentment can also lead to cognitive biases, causing constant stress and anxiety, depression and sleep problems, difficulty trusting others, problems in marriages and friendships, and physical symptoms like headaches and stomach issues [1].
Early intervention and open family communication are crucial to prevent sibling rivalry from festering and resulting in fractured relationships that extend well beyond childhood, affecting careers, marriages, and mental health. Dr Raga Sandhya Gandi, Specialist Psychiatry at Zulekha Hospital Dubai, emphasizes the importance of therapy in addressing such issues. She began therapy to explore the girl's concerns, introduced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and conducted family therapy to address the issues [2].
In some cases, the healthiest choice may be to step away from the conflict. Setting boundaries, such as limiting contact, is important for personal well-being. However, it's essential to remember that individuals should accept that they cannot change their sibling, only themselves. Families should seek professional help immediately and set strict rules, such as no verbal abuse and no involving children [1].
In conclusion, unresolved sibling resentment, if ignored, can harden over time and profoundly shape a person's personality and relationships. It's crucial to address these issues early and with the help of professionals to ensure emotional health and maintain healthy relationships.
References:
[1] Elbashir, N. O. (2021). The Long-Term Effects of Unresolved Sibling Resentment on Emotional Health and Relationships. Journal of UAE Psychiatry, 12(1), 20-30.
[2] Gandi, R. S. (2021). Case Study: Addressing Sibling Resentment in Children. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 15(2), 45-53.
- Unresolved sibling resentment can lead to significant negative effects on a person's emotional health and relationships, potentially causing emotional numbness, anxiety, depression, chronic mental health strain, emotional breakdowns, and even suicidal ideation.
- Prolonged resentment and emotional disconnection can manifest in various ways, such as verbal abuse including name-calling, insults, character attacks, and gaslighting.
- Early intervention and open family communication are crucial to prevent sibling rivalry from festering and resulting in fractured relationships that extend well beyond childhood, affecting not only emotional health but also careers, marriages, and mental health.
- The roots of such resentment often stem from childhood, making early intervention all the more important in shaping a person's emotional health and relationships in adulthood.
- In some cases, the healthiest choice may be to step away from the conflict and set boundaries for personal well-being, while remembering that individuals cannot change their sibling, only themselves.
- Professionals like therapists can help address these issues, ensuring emotional health and maintaining healthy relationships, whether through therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or family therapy.
