If you know someone who was always being compared to their sibling—or if you were that person—experts say it's very likely that competitiveness is a trait as a result."Comparisons, especially in childhood between siblings, breed rivalry, making success a zero-sum game," Dr. Brown tells Parade. "Siblings might race to achieve milestones, turning achievements into contests rather than personal growth, which can carry over into adulthood."While this competitive drive can fuel success, our experts warn it often comes with a cost: stress, burnout or difficulty celebrating others' wins.Related: People Who Weren’t Close to Their Siblings in Childhood Often Develop These 12 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say
2. Perfectionism
When a child is constantly compared to a sibling, they can begin to internalize the belief that love and approval must be earned—often by mimicking someone else’s behavior."A child who is always told to 'be more like' their sibling may adapt to gain affection," says Dr. Brown.He continues, explaining that over time, this need to gain approval can solidify into a trait of high agreeableness—not in the healthy, cooperative sense, but as a pattern of self-suppression. In adulthood, this might show up as always saying yes, avoiding conflict or molding themselves to fit what they believe others want—often at the cost of their own needs, opinions and identity.Related: A Psychotherapist Is Begging Everyone To Stop Believing This Common Myth About ‘People-Pleasers’
4. They're empathetic
“If a younger sibling is always being compared to their brother or sister, they will feel undeserving of accolades, believing they only succeed by chance,” Dr. Brown tells Parade. Our experts share that this can follow them into adulthood, where they may struggle to fully own their achievements or feel confident in their abilities. This can lead to them having traits like low confidence, self-doubt and being insecure, which can even cause them to develop trait-like patterns of imposter syndrome."If a younger sibling grew up constantly being compared to an older sibling who was very accomplished (e.g., a star athlete, a strong student), they may have learned they need to strive to achieve a lot in order to be worthy of their parents’ love or attention," Dr. Freedman-Diamond further explains. "Due to this, even if they do accomplish a lot over the course of their life, they may still experience imposter syndrome, where the little kid in them feels like they’ll never live up to their parents’ expectations or escape their older sibling’s shadow."
6. They're risk-averse
An adult can develop a sensitive trait as a result of growing up constantly compared to a sibling, making them easily hurt by negative feedback or perceived rejection in their personal or work life."Being frequently compared to someone when you're growing up, like a brother or sister, makes criticism feel like a personal attack," Dr. Brown explains.He breaks the reason down, saying that when a person grows up and experiences something similar, they can be extra sensitive to it."An adult may perceive feedback as a threat to their identity, not just their work," he tells Parade.Related: 12 Phrases Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents To Stop Saying to an Oldest Child
5 Tips for Healing if You Were Compared to a Sibling During Childhood
1. Work with a therapist
Another thing that can help you heal has to do with pumping yourself up."Celebrating your own wins can take the focus off comparison to others and instead orient you toward your own goals and priorities," Dr. Freedman-Diamond points out. "This is also a way to practice internal validation, which is an important way to move out of relying solely on external validation."
3. Reframe the narrative
Who you have in your inner circle can also play a big part in your healing process, so you want to make sure you are surrounded by the right people."Your support system can be very helpful in reminding you that you have value exactly as you are," Dr. Freedman-Diamond tells Parade. "If you surround yourself with people who value you as an individual, and don't compare you to others or make you feel like you have to be a certain way, then you can start to shift your own beliefs and trust that the people who care about you don't need you to perform for them."Related: 9 Signs Someone Is a Negative Influence on You, Psychologists Warn
5. Set emotional boundaries
Related: 16 Phrases Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents To Stop Saying to an Oldest Daughter
Sources:
Dr. Paula Freedman-Diamond, psychologist and author of Toxic Striving: Why Hustle and Wellness Culture Are Leaving Us Anxious, Stressed, and Burned Out―and How to Break FreeDr. Adolph "Doc" Brown, psychologist and expert on ABC’s The Parent TestHence then, the article about people who were constantly compared to siblings in childhood often develop these 7 traits as adults psychologists say was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( People Who Were Constantly Compared to Siblings in Childhood Often Develop These 7 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say )
Also on site :
- Skanska signs additional contract with existing client to build a data center in USA for USD 228M, about SEK 2.2 billion
- ‘No way out’: Telangana student dies in Germany after jumping from burning apartment on New Year’s Eve
- HEA vs STA Dream11 Prediction, Dream11 Playing XI, Today Match 20, Big Bash League 2025-26