Sibling Spillover in Educational Transitions: Differences between Full and Half Siblings and the Role of Childhood Co-Residence

Yu-Chin Her , Population Research Centre, University of Groningen
Clara H. Mulder, University of Groningen

Sibling resemblance in educational outcomes reflects both shared family background and direct influence, yet little is known about how sibling type and childhood co-residence shape critical transitions from secondary to tertiary education, where decisions have lasting consequences. Drawing on social interaction, social conformity, and kin selection theories, we hypothesize that siblings act as role models and sources of behavioral reinforcement, while the strength of resemblance varies by sibling type—full, half, or unknown—and the duration of childhood co-residence. Using Dutch register data covering the entire population, we examine whether having a sibling enrolled in or having completed higher education predicts an individual’s transition from secondary to tertiary education, and how these associations differ by sibling type and shared co-residence. The analysis focuses on students in their final year of HAVO (grade 5) and VWO (grade 6) secondary-school tracks between 2013 and 2017 and follows them for two years to observe their transition to tertiary education (N = 217,268 sibling dyads). Binary logistic regressions show that siblings’ higher education enrollment or completion significantly predicts an individual’s own transition. Full siblings generally exert stronger associations than half siblings, but half siblings with extended co-residence show comparable influence. These preliminary findings highlight how sibling type and shared upbringing jointly shape educational pathways, with sibling resemblance operating through direct interaction, potential genetic relatedness, and childhood proximity. As the first study to disentangle the roles of sibling type and co-residence history in educational transitions, it offers novel insights into the mechanisms of intragenerational transmission.

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 Presented in Session 82. Linked lives: Sibling Contexts and the Life Course