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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Sisters 'make people happy' | Sisters 'make people happy' |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Sisters spread happiness while brothers breed distress, experts believe. | Sisters spread happiness while brothers breed distress, experts believe. |
| Researchers quizzed 571 people aged 17 to 25 about their lives and found those who grew up with sisters were more likely to be happy and balanced. | Researchers quizzed 571 people aged 17 to 25 about their lives and found those who grew up with sisters were more likely to be happy and balanced. |
| The University of Ulster said having daughters made a family more open and willing to discuss feelings. | The University of Ulster said having daughters made a family more open and willing to discuss feelings. |
| They said the influence of girls was particularly important after distressing family events such as marital break-ups. | They said the influence of girls was particularly important after distressing family events such as marital break-ups. |
| The findings are due to be presented at the British Psychological Society in Brighton on Thursday. | The findings are due to be presented at the British Psychological Society in Brighton on Thursday. |
| During the study, participants filled in psychological questionnaires which researchers used to assess a range of issues, including whether they had a positive outlook and any mental health problems. | During the study, participants filled in psychological questionnaires which researchers used to assess a range of issues, including whether they had a positive outlook and any mental health problems. |
| Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families Professor Tony Cassidy, lead researcher | Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families Professor Tony Cassidy, lead researcher |
| Lead researcher Professor Tony Cassidy said: "Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion in families. | |
| "However, brothers seemed to have the alternative effect. | "However, brothers seemed to have the alternative effect. |
| "Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families." | "Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families." |
| He said many of the participants had been brought up in families where parents had split and the impact of sisters was even more marked in these circumstances. | He said many of the participants had been brought up in families where parents had split and the impact of sisters was even more marked in these circumstances. |
| "I think these findings could be used by people offering support to families and children during distressing times. | "I think these findings could be used by people offering support to families and children during distressing times. |
| HAVE YOUR SAYI have a sister and am neither happy or balancedRichard Hill, Birmingham Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYI have a sister and am neither happy or balancedRichard Hill, Birmingham Send us your comments |
| "We may have to think carefully about the way we deal with families with lots of boys." | "We may have to think carefully about the way we deal with families with lots of boys." |
| Geri Burnikell, co-ordinator of the charity Support Line, which offers counselling to young people and families, said: "This is very interesting and certainly chimes with our experiences. | Geri Burnikell, co-ordinator of the charity Support Line, which offers counselling to young people and families, said: "This is very interesting and certainly chimes with our experiences. |
| "Boys tend to internalise problems and in families where there are lots of sons, I can see that can cause problems. | "Boys tend to internalise problems and in families where there are lots of sons, I can see that can cause problems. |
| "I think the most important thing in these circumstances is to give people someone independent to talk to outside the immediate family unit." | "I think the most important thing in these circumstances is to give people someone independent to talk to outside the immediate family unit." |