However, there is no conclusive evidence to prove that single children are loners, self-centered, or have adjustment problems. Being ambitious, less interactive with relatives, and having a higher IQ are a few characteristics of only child syndrome.
Older research and stereotypes incorrectly suggest that only children may be more self-centered, narcissistic, or spoiled than children with siblings. However, there is no recent evidence to support these theories.
A 2016 study comparing children's brain scans also found only-borns were less agreeable than children with siblings. The researchers suggested this could be due to excessive attention from family members, less exposure to external social groups and more focus on solitary activities while growing up.
All underwent psychological and psycho-technical tests, as well as MRIs to study their brains. They discovered that only children had more gray matter in the parietal lobe. This was associated with greater mental agility, planning, and language ability. They also seemed to enjoy more creativity and imagination.
Only children tend to fall more into the "firstborn" camp of Adler's theory: Firstborns: Firstborns are thought of as responsible, reliable, cautious, achievement-oriented leaders and problem solvers.
Since only child syndrome is not an actual condition, there are no real symptoms. However, there are several traits that are stereotypically associated with only child syndrome, including self-centeredness, lack of social skills, and perfectionism.
4 In fact, the review also found that other factors such as birth order and family size don't necessarily influence one's personality the way we think they do. Research finds that being an only child does not automatically cause characteristic differences from children with siblings, says Dr. Romanoff.
Psychologists also have conflicting ideas about how only children operate in relationships. “They often have problems when it comes to delayed gratification, overly seeking attention, difficulty separating from parental influence, immaturity, independence, giving and receiving, [and] sharing,” John Mayer, Ph. D.
Depression and anxiety
No single difference was found between the only-children and the children with siblings in these two studies.
An only child may grow up lonely. An only child has no one to grow up with. The parents of an only child tend to be overprotective. An only child may have a harder time making friends.
In some countries, such as China and South Korea, more than 40% of all families have one child. Similarly, in many other countries including the United States, Canada and Australia over 30% of households consist of a single parent with one child.
Specifically, empathy of second-born children was significantly higher than that of only children in response to three emotions (i.e., sadness, fear, and anger).
Golden child syndrome, or being a “golden child,” is a term typically used by family, and most often by parents, to refer to a child in the family that's regarded as exceptional in some way. The golden child is expected to be extraordinary at everything, not make mistakes, and essentially be “perfect.”
If you're an only child, your best romantic match is an older brother of sisters, according to this website.
MYTH: Only children are lonely. FACT: Only children can have as many friends as their peers with siblings do.
The best type of person for you to marry is someone independent. If you are an only child, your ideal spouse needs to be someone who embraces independence. After all, as an only child, you got used to being on your own. You need someone who respects your need for space (and enjoys their own company too).
In combination, the findings of the two studies indicate that, although people believe that only children are more narcissistic than people with siblings, this believe is false.
Research has showed that, while having one child is associated with a gain in happiness, having a second is associated with a drop in happiness for mothers.
Growing up as an only child, is a monumental experience. You grow up, constantly being reminded of how you are an only child, and essentially how different you are. You grow up with people constantly questioning why you don't have any siblings, and looking at you, as if you are an alien, that came from out of space.
Some only children wished for a sibling, some didn't. Some people with siblings felt bullied by their siblings, not close to them, or in constant competition with them. Others felt that their siblings were the greatest gifts their parents ever gave them.
AN INVISIBLE CHILD is one who does not initially stand out for any reason. This child is not extremely athletic, overly popular, or very outgoing. This child invariably follows all of the rules. An invisible child is compliant, well-behaved, and rarely does anything to call attention to himself or herself.
Because only children spend so much time alone, they're self-entertainers and often tend to be the most creative of all birth orders. 5 In fact, Dr. Leman calls only children "Super Firstborns." Like oldest siblings, they are confident, well-spoken, pay enormous attention to detail, and tend to do well in school.