In a popular TikTok video, a licensed therapist discusses “eldest daughter syndrome,” listing signs that may indicate this phenomenon. These signs include a strong sense of familial responsibility, people-pleasing tendencies, and feelings of resentment towards siblings and parents. Although there is online buzz and memes around the topic, mental health professionals urge caution in attributing too much importance to sibling birth order and its impact on personality or long-term outcomes. They suggest that societal gender norms may play a role in shaping these perceptions. While studies have found some connections between birth order and certain outcomes, the sample sizes and timing of these studies have been limited.
