When Sister Sister and Two of a Kind hit our TV screens in the late 90s, the popular shows confirmed what we all already knew - that having a sister is great.
Whatever goes on behind closed doors between you both - fighting, thieving, practicing your own version of Ross and Monica's routine - a study has revealed that people with a sister are more likely to be happier and more positive.
Researchers at De Montfort University in Leicester and Ulster University carried out the study across 571 people aged between 17 and 25. The interviews revealed that people with sisters are more likely to have a balanced lifestyle. It also suggested that having at least one girl in the family promoted positive mental health, given that females encourage people to talk about their emotions.
Findings also revealed that girls who had sisters were more likely to be independent and more determined to achieve.
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Commenting on the study, Professor Tony Cassidy told The Telegraph:
Sisters appear to encourage more open communication and cohesion in families. However, brothers seem to have the alternative effect. Emotional expression is fundamental to good psychological health and having sisters promotes this in families.
He added that this could be because boys are less likely to talk about things.
