![]() Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. It is much more likely that many different factors determine someone’s development. Given this fact and that many studies have posted contradictory results, it is impossible to say whether middle child syndrome exists or not. This may be quite different from a singular middle child and is could possibly impact development and personality.įurther, some research on birth order in general, such as a 2015 study of more than 20,000 people in Great Britain, the United States and Germany, found that birth order “does not lasting effect on broad personality traits” such as extraversion, emotional stability or agreeableness. It is important to note that the terminology “middle children” can mean any children that are not the oldest or youngest in the family. ![]() The study went on to say that “later-born” (not necessarily middle-born) children were at increased risk of suicide attempts and psychiatric disorders in adolescence. However, a follow-up study in 2016 found that oldest children seem to be more likely to develop mental illnesses such as depression. They explain that one study in 2003 found that middle children were more likely to develop depression. The authors of another study bring to light opposing results on the relationship between birth order and depression. However, the author concluded that his study showed that these results were non-significant, meaning that they were simply due to chance rather than birth order. In one literature review, the author found that some research shows middle children being 33 percent more likely to engage in delinquent behavior than their older sibling. This research does not necessarily tell the entire picture or even prove that birth order determines personality. They were also more likely to develop maladaptive perfectionism, which is characterized by the constant desire to have things go as planned. In their review, the researchers found that middle-born children were more likely to be less family-oriented than their elder siblings. The review of studies noted that middle-borns are also least likely to say they would turn to their parents when under duress.Ī more recent study from 2016 explored the effects of birth order on 320 undergraduate students. That said, the results of this large survey (of more than 15,000 people) were close among women, with 30.9 percent of last-born women reporting it was easy to talk to parents about sex at age 14, and 29.4 of middle-born women noting the same.Īmong men, 17.8 percent of middle-born men found it easy to talk to their parents about sex, whereas 21.4 percent of last-born men found it easy.Įarlier 1998 research found that middle-born children are least likely to say they are closest to their mothers. One 2019 study found that middle-born children were least likely (when compared to first-born or last-born children) to feel comfortable talking to their parents about sex education. One of the most common beliefs about middle-born children is that they have distant relationships with their parents. Most of this research covers all possible birth orders, including the impact of being a middle child. Researchers have tested the effects of birth order on plenty of conditions, including OCD, schizophrenia, depression, autism, and even anorexia. The middle child falls somewhere in-between and is unable to be the favorite of either parent.ĭespite these beliefs in middle child syndrome, the science surrounding birth order is still being explored. Favoritism may exist for the oldest child who is viewed as special, or for the youngest child who is viewed as the baby. Middle children generally don’t feel that they are the favorite child of the family. As they find themselves in the middle of everything, they may also become the peacemaker. They might compete for attention between siblings, as they risk being ignored by one or the other. The middle child often feels the need to compete with both the younger and older sibling for parental attention. ![]() The middle child isn’t given as much attention as either. The older sibling often holds more responsibilities, and the younger sibling is well taken care of by the parents. Middle children may have trouble feeling equal to their siblings in parental relationships. Their personality may be dulled down by their siblings, making them quiet and even-tempered. The older sibling is strong-willed, and the younger sibling is the baby, which leaves the middle child somewhere in-between. Middle children have personalities that are often overshadowed by their other siblings. How might being a middle child influence someone’s personality and relationships? Below are some common ideas about the characteristics of middle children.
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