Abstract
This study provides an exploratory discussion on the developmental transformation of sibling relationship that follows their family system developments. Nine first children in their fifties and sixties were chosen to receive semi-structured interviews. The result found a model consisting of five phases depicting the developmental transformation of sibling relationship: (1) Family Phase (the foundation of the sibling relationship is formed); (2) Independent Phase (siblings start to see each other as equals); (3) Relative Phase (siblings establish their own families and maintain sibling relationship as relatives); (4) Care Phase (siblings cope with each other in support of their aging parents); and (5) Integration Phase (siblings build strong spiritual bonds with other siblings after their parents’ death).
From these findings, it was clarified that the developmental transformation of sibling relationship is generated through the repeated reformation of the family structure along with the changes in their family system.
