Sisters in Later Life: Changes in Contact and Availability

SUMMARY

The strongest of sibling bonds is the relationship between sisters. However, researchers know little about how these relationships change over lime. This study presents a longitudinal examination of structural and contact features of older, rural women's (N = 82) sibling networks. Also, sibling network variables were correlated with measures of subjective well-being. Significant loss of siblings occurred over 12 years. After controlling for proximity, frequency of contact between siblings did not change. Although sisters predominated in sibling networks, proximate brothers were slightly more prevalent and had more frequent contact with the respondents. Associations between sibling variables and subjective well-being were not found. Siblings remain active in the kin networks of women into late old age.