1. Background
 The construction of an identity is a developmental task typically attributed to
adolescents and emerging adults, but is also modified throughout one’s life-
course with new experiences (Pals, 2006).
 Sibling relationships are fundamental to many people’s identity development.
 Some of our sibling interactions are likely to fit into our self-perceptions and
promote identity consistency over time and domain, whereas others, such as
difficult life events including sibling conflict, may not fit and can promote
growth and change in our identity .
 By reflecting on and narrating previous experiences, narrative identity is
developed and sustained. Pals’ (2006) narrative identity model:
Narrative Identity Development: Integrating Sibling Conflict into
the View of the Self
A. D. Paterson, S. Daniel, B. Drouillard, M. Duffett, E. McArthur, A. Pickering, S. A. Scott, J. South , and M. Wuerch
University of Windsor
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to examine how sibling conflicts are
processed and integrated into emerging adults’ narrative identity. Two developmental
pathways have been proposed: 1. toward ego development, and 2. toward life
satisfaction (Pals, 2006). Method: A total of 238 participants completed questionnaires
and wrote about a recent sibling conflict. Structural equation modelling was used to test
pathways of development. Results: Data indicate that exploratory narrative processing
relates to ego level, but coherent positive resolution does not relate to life satisfaction,
instead, greater sibling warmth and an interdependent self-construal, which may be
indicative of a relational self-construal, are associated with coherent positive resolution,
and feelings of mastery, and strong independent and interdependent self-construals are
associated with life satisfaction. Sibling warmth approached significance in relating to
life satisfaction. Implications: Overall, this research shows that sibling conflicts are
integrated into one’s life story by developing and elaborating on internal narratives of
the event, which in turn fosters ego development. This study also highlights, however,
that for some, resolving sibling conflict positively and coherently is not a necessary
process in identity development. This has implications for family-based interventions.
For more information about this study, please contact:
Ashley D. Paterson: patersoa@uwindsor.ca
References
Pals, J. L. (2006). Narrative identity processing of difficult life experiences: Pathways of personality development and positive self-transformation in
adulthood. Journal of Personality, 74(4), 1079-1110. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2006.00403.x
Cramer, P. (2012). Psychological maturity and change in adult defense mechanisms. Journal of Research in Personality, 46(3), 306-316.
doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2012.02.011
 Model 2: χ2
(2) = 1.47, p = .48, RMSEA = .00, 90% CI [.00, .13], CFI = 1.00, IFI = 1.05.
 Although emotion discussions are important components of exploratory narrative
processing and ego development, emotion complexity, as measured in this study, is not
related to exploratory narrative processing in the current model.
 It is possible that the scoring of exploratory narrative processing accounts for the
variance in emotion complexity, resulting in a non-significant path from emotion
complexity to exploratory narrative processing.
Exploratory Narrative
Processing
Ego Level
Coherent Positive
Resolution
Life Satisfaction
Positive Life
Transformation
Exploratory Narrative
Processing
Ego Level
Emotion Complexity
Self-Report
Emotion Complexity
Narrative
Coherent Positive
Resolution
Sibling Warmth
Independent Self-
Construal
Interdependent Self-
Construal
Feelings of Mastery
Sibling Conflict
Life Satisfaction
Effect Estimate SE p R2
Model 1: Pals’ model
Pathway to Ego Level: .04
ENP .10 .04 .003
Pathway to Life Satisfaction: .00
CPR .05 .05 .33
Model 2: Toward Ego Level
Pathways to ENP: .01
Emotion Complexity (SR) .03 .02 .24
Emotion Complexity (Nar) .00 .01 .70
Pathway to Ego Level: .05
ENP .11 .04 .001
Model 3: Exploratory Model to Life Satisfaction
Pathway to CPR .08
Interdependent .41 .20 .04
Independent .13 .19 .49
Mastery -.03 .19 .87
Sibling Conflict -.04 .18 .84
Sibling Warmth .39 .14 .01
Pathway to Life Satisfaction .24
Interdependent .31 .13 .01
Independent .29 .12 .01
Mastery .72 .12 <.001
Sibling Conflict .09 .12 .43
Sibling Warmth .18 .09 .05
 Model 3: χ2
(1) = .00, p = .96, RMSEA = .00, 90% CI [.00, .00], CFI 1.00, IFI = 1.01.
 Individuals with warm relationships with their siblings or an interdependent self-
construal are more likely to arrive at coherent and positive resolution to their sibling
conflicts.
 These results suggest that arriving at a coherent and positive resolution to sibling conflict
is an important narrative process for some individuals, possibly for those who place more
meaning in the sibling relationship.
 Individuals with more stable identities characterised by warm relationships with their
siblings, greater perceived mastery, and either a strong sense of independence or
interdependence, are likely to have greater life satisfaction.
Directions for Future Research
 The current study has highlighted the role of siblings in emerging adult identity
development.
 Examining these processes within a longitudinal design with a greater number of sibling
pairs and the inclusion of other family members may help clarify causal relationships
between narrative processes and outcomes as well as genetic and environmental
contributions to ego development and life satisfactions.
Exploratory Narrative
Processing
Ego Level
Coherent Positive
Resolution
Life Satisfaction
Results and Discussion
e_ego
e_life
.10
3.32
1.60
.84
1.79
1
1
3.65
.05
e_ego
.18
1
e_enp
.3.38
1
-4.27
.11
.03
.00
27.40
443.50
e_cpr
3.38
1
e_life
1.36
1
.39
-.04
-.03
.41
.13
.18
.09
.72
.31
.29
-.16
-.16
-.07
-.06
.05
.04
.15
.13
-.06
.12
.91
.57
.55
.46
.54
 Model 1: χ2
(3) = 4.59, p = .20; RMSEA = .05, 90% CI [.00, .14], CFI = .97,
IFI = .97.
 This model suggests that, when prompted, emerging adults integrate sibling
conflicts into their narrative identities by exploring these experiences through
an elaborated narrative. This exploration can lead to greater ego development.
 Arriving at a coherent and positive resolution to a sibling conflict is not
associated with greater life satisfaction. Cramer (2012) suggested that denial is
an adaptive coping strategy in some instances.
Table 1
Effect Estimates for Models