Does Having More Siblings Harm Your Mental Health? Shocking New Study Says Yes

The age-old belief that “the more, the merrier” when it comes to siblings is now being challenged by science. A recent groundbreaking study conducted by a group of child psychologists and family behavior researchers has found a surprising correlation between the number of siblings a child grows up with and their long-term mental health. The results? The more siblings you have, the greater the risk of emotional distress and anxiety — especially if you're in a high-conflict or low-resource household.

The study, published in the Journal of Family Psychology, tracked the psychological development of over 10,000 individuals from childhood to early adulthood. Researchers found that children from larger families reported higher levels of stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. The main contributing factors included intense competition for parental attention, overcrowded living conditions, and increased likelihood of sibling conflict.

While siblings can indeed provide support, friendship, and shared experiences, this study emphasizes that in environments where parental resources—time, money, and emotional energy—are stretched thin, the advantages often give way to psychological strain. For example, children in large families were more likely to feel neglected, unsupported, and caught in frequent disputes with siblings. These early stressors often translated into chronic anxiety and interpersonal trust issues in adulthood.

Dr. Aarti Menon, one of the lead researchers, explains, “It’s not about villainizing big families. But we must understand that children in large households may be navigating emotional chaos daily, which can quietly shape their mental health over time.”

The findings are especially relevant in socio-economic settings where resources are already limited. In such households, parental bandwidth can’t always meet the emotional and developmental needs of multiple children equally. This imbalance can lead to internalized stress and lingering psychological challenges.

Experts now urge families and educators to recognize the emotional needs of children in larger families. Creating structured spaces for individual attention, encouraging healthy sibling dynamics, and supporting children’s mental health through counseling or open communication can make a significant difference.

In conclusion, while the myth of the “big happy family” still endures in many cultures, this new research invites us to look more critically at the realities children face in such environments. Emotional support, not just numbers, may be the key to a healthier childhood.