Article: Support Between Siblings and Between Friends: Two Worlds Apart? Journal of Marriage and Family, December 2007
Summary: Using data from a Dutch survey study, Marieke Voorpostel and Tanja Van Der Lippe examine how the type of support received differs between friends and siblings. The authors find that, on average, siblings exchange more practical support - such as housework or transportation - while friends exchange more emotional support. An intriguing finding is that geographical distance has a negative effect on the exchange of practical support, but was positively related with the exchange of emotional support. In other words, the authors explain:
The further siblings and friends lived apart, the more likely emotional support was received.
