Oedipal Sibling Triangles

Abstract

Sibling triangles exist independent of parent-child triangles and undergo parallel development into constellations bearing significant formal and dynamic similarities to the standard parent-child oedipal relationships. They may exert definitive effects on the individual's identifications, adult object choices, and patterns of relating. Recognition of such constellations and their outcomes is often crucial to successful therapy. A developmental line is delineated with emphasis on the recapitulation throughout development of oedipal sibling issues. Speculations are offered about the possible factors responsible for pathological outcomes of oedipal sibling triangles, and about why, in many cases, oedipal sibling experience may be more influential in development than oedipal parental experience.

Hiding in plain sight: the sibling connection in eating disorders

“…Oedipal triangles and conflicts, bedrock concepts in psychoanalysis, assume shifting configurations between family members including siblings, and do not always involve a parent (Sharpe and Rosenblatt, 1994). There are several variations of Oedipal sibling triangles all of which differ from parental Oedipal conflicts and their resolution is more difficult.…”

Sibling rivalry and the structuring of the mind

“…It has been recognized during the past I 0 or 15 years, that siblings, their relationships as well as the fantasies, envy and rivalry aroused by them, have been neglected in psychoanalysis (Sharpe & Rosenblatt, 1994;Volkan & Ast, 1997;Mitchell, 2000;Coles, 2003). From the beginning of his career, Freud was interested in sibling relations, but after the discovery of the Oedipus complex, they received less attention in his writing and their significance in psychoanalytic work tended to be forgotten (Mitchell, 2000).…”

“…I do not claim that the examination of horizontal sibling relationships should replace the working-through of vertical Oedipal relationships, but if we aim to create a space where thoughts can be thought, the siblings that arise in the transference may be as helpful as the Oedipus complex (Britton, 1989). This raises the question: should a completed analysis always deal with the fantasies aroused by the relationship to siblings as well as parents (Sharpe & Rosenblatt, 1994;Volkan & Ast, 1997)?…”

“…Furthermore, Sharpe & Rosenblatt (1994) have been interested in how siblings affect psychic development. They believe that a person works continually through the relationship to his siblings throughout life.…”

Sibling Differentiation, Identity Development, and the Lateral Dimension of Psychic Life

“…Eventually, and with a shock, children realize the presence of their siblings as rivals for their precious position as the one and only child of their parents; they feel displaced from their presumed position in the family and no longer unique. This type of jarring displacement has been understood as the sometimes traumatic experience of the firstborn on the arrival of a second child (Adler 1927, Kris andRitvo 1983;Sharpe and Rosenblatt 1994). One of Mitchell's important contributions is to postulate the universality of this experience of displacement by siblings.…”