Online Class: Sibling Rivalry and Narcissism — Struggles in Dysfunctional Families

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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15Lessons
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22Exams &
Assignments -
6Hours
average time -
0.6CEUs
Course Description
Imagine untying the most convoluted knot you can think of, only to find a glowing thread buried within--a thread leading you to a future of self-realization and harmony. That's exactly what enrolling in our "Sibling Rivalry and Narcissism: Struggles in Dysfunctional Families" course feels like. It's an exploration, a revelation, and above all, a personal journey in understanding the complexities of your family dynamics.
Many struggle silently, ensnared by the intricate webs spun in their family homes. Their voices are muffled, their experiences deemed trivial by external eyes, yet the pain is real and profound. You're not alone, and the quest for understanding is a noble one. Throughout this course, you will be greeted by a community of learners and experts who have walked similar paths. Here, your personal stories are honored, your struggles acknowledged, and your growth championed.
As you delve deep into the dynamics of sibling rivalry, you'll discover that these struggles stem from both nature and nurture. Genetics may lay the ground, yet the family environment etches its signature into those relationships. Each module peels back a layer of your family's past, revealing influences you might have sensed but never fully understood until now. This knowledge is not just information; it's power--the kind of power that lights the way to transformation.
In families shadowed by narcissistic behaviors, roles get cast without audition--cast by well-meaning or perhaps unaware hands. Children often find themselves involuntarily participating in a drama not of their own creation. We guide you through these roles, unpacking the psychological complexities and unveiling opportunities for personal empowerment. Our course offers a unique lens to view these dynamics, fostering revelations that lead to healing and stronger, healthier relationships.
Birth order, favoritism, jealousy, and competition--each sibling thread is explored with compassionate precision, offering insights that redefine your understanding of familial interactions. You'll gain tools to address favoritism's deep impacts and, importantly, learn how to prevent carrying these creases into your own future family dynamics.
Practicality lies at the heart of our course. You'll learn strategies for building empathy and improving communication with your siblings--essential tools that transform old wounds into reservoirs of resilience. You'll be supported in navigating manipulative family scenarios, learning to recognize and resist them.
Visualize a home filled not with rivalry but respect and understanding. Our instructors, compassionate experts in psychology and family therapy, are committed to walking alongside you on this pilgrimage to peace. They bring narratives not only from books and studies but from actual lived experience, offering a relatable and inspiring learning environment.
In understanding the role of extended family and setting healthy boundaries, you'll craft a narrative for your life that aligns with your values. Graduating from this course arms you with more than knowledge; it bequeaths you the wisdom to rewrite family scripts and foster resilience in the generations to come.
Imagine breaking the cycle, not merely for your well-being but for future ties that bind lovingly rather than restrictively. Our course is your map to that future, where the legacy of dysfunction halts at your feet, allowing room for love to grow.
Choosing this course means choosing insight, empathy, and the aspiration for future generations free from the shadows of the past. Are you ready to take the first step toward a more harmonious life? Join us, and let this transformative experience illuminate your path. The journey to understanding and peace begins here, and we can't wait to welcome you to it.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. Nature, Nurture, and the Intricacies of Sibling Dynamics
Sibling rivalry and individual personality traits underscore the role of genetics, as evidenced by higher behavioral similarity among identical twins and genetic influences on temperament. The environmental overlay of family dynamics, including parental practices and stressors, modulates these genetic undercurrents, impacting rivalry dynamics.Lesson 2. Unraveling Sibling Roles in Narcissistic Families
Narcissistic parents impose rigid roles on their children, fostering complex sibling dynamics that persist into adulthood. Understanding these roles can lead to personal empowerment and healthier family relationships.Lesson 3. Decoding Narcissism in Family Dynamics
Narcissistic abuse involves manipulation tactics like gaslighting, eroding victims' self-esteem and autonomy. Recognizing these patterns and seeking therapy can help survivors rebuild their self-worth and establish healthier, more empowered relationships.Lesson 4. Navigating Family Dynamics: The Birth Order Effect
Birth order theory, pioneered by Alfred Adler, examines family dynamics to reveal how sibling positions impact personality traits and relationships. Exploring cultural and familial influences offers insights into self-awareness, guiding individuals toward healthier interactions and emotional intelligence.Lesson 5. Sibling Dynamics in Narcissistic Families: Understanding the Impact and Building Resilience
Narcissism influences family roles, often leading to sibling rivalry and long-term psychological impacts on children. Through therapy and mindfulness, siblings can redefine their relationships, moving from rivalry to solidarity and understanding.Lesson 6. The Historical Roots and Psychological Effects of Favoritism in Families
Historically linked to survival and societal structures, favoritism within families continues to influence sibling relationships, leading to feelings of inadequacy and rivalry. Modern families can navigate these dynamics by fostering open communication, recognizing unique child capabilities, and utilizing family therapy.Lesson 7. The Roots and Resolutions of Rivalry Within Families
A multifaceted exploration into sibling rivalry reveals competition for parental attention as a natural familial occurrence with potential negative impacts when intensified by factors like perceived favoritism or sibling overshadowing. Cultivating emotional intelligence and empathy can reframe these interactions, promoting healthier family dynamics and emotional resilience.Lesson 8. Sibling Communication Essentials
Family dynamics, shaped by societal norms and parental biases, heavily influence sibling relationships, often perpetuating rivalries through narcissistic tendencies like favoritism. Addressing these issues through empathy, active listening, and family therapy promotes understanding and cooperation, transforming sibling bonds.Lesson 9. From Rivalry to Resilience: The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Sibling Interactions
By addressing deeper issues behind sibling rivalry, families foster unity and cooperation, transforming adversarial dynamics into supportive alliances. Exposure to diverse perspectives and involvement in community activities enhance children's empathy, preparing them to contribute positively to societal harmony.Lesson 10. Beyond the Core: The Role of Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles in Sibling Relationships
Grandparents and other extended family members can either stabilize or complicate sibling relationships, acting as peacemakers or sources of favoritism-led tensions. Effective communication and boundary-setting are key to preventing rivalry and fostering positive interactions among siblings.Lesson 11. The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Family Healing
Awareness of parental manipulation, including favoritism and triangulation, is pivotal for dismantling dysfunctional family dynamics. Siblings can transform rivalry into support by recognizing these patterns and focusing on mutual respect and understanding, aided by improved emotional intelligence.Lesson 12. Boundary Crafting in Challenging Families
The complex dynamics of dysfunction within families often revolve around sibling rivalry and narcissism, which distort emotional boundaries and perpetuate conflict. Cultivating empathy and maintaining clear boundaries can lead individuals on a path to healing and deeper familial understanding.Lesson 13. Therapeutic Strategies for Sibling Rivalry in Dysfunctional Settings
Mindfulness offers healing for individuals navigating dysfunctional family dynamics by promoting emotional resilience and stress reduction. Practices like mindful communication and visualization techniques cultivate empathy, enabling healthier interactions and self-discovery.Lesson 14. Dysfunction Unraveled
Nurturing emotional intelligence and fostering open communication can break the cycle of dysfunction in families with sibling rivalry and narcissistic traits. Empowering diverse perspectives and adopting empathy-driven leadership can lead to compassionate communities and resilient family systems.Lesson 15. Fostering Resilience in Narcissistic Family Environments
Sibling dynamics under narcissistic influence often lead to rivalry due to skewed parental focus, with empowerment hinging on understanding and dialogue. This approach ensures emotional needs are met, encouraging supportive rather than competitive relationships.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of environmental factors, like parental influence, in mitigating or exacerbating sibling rivalry.
- Recognize the influence of genetic predispositions on sibling dynamics and identify traits contributing to rivalry.
- Recognize the distinct emotional and developmental effects of the 'Golden Child,' 'Scapegoat,' and 'Invisible Child' roles.
- Define the psychological impacts of narcissistic parental roles on sibling relationships and identify strategies for healing and empowerment.
- Demonstrate strategies for setting boundaries and fostering resilience in environments affected by parental narcissism.
- Identify and describe the impact of narcissistic traits on sibling dynamics within dysfunctional family settings.
- Analyze and evaluate the impact of cultural and familial environments on the expression of birth order-related traits.
- Identify and describe the distinct personality traits associated with each birth order position, using examples from historical figures.
- Describe how children in narcissistic family systems can identify and articulate their emotional boundaries to promote healthier interpersonal relationships.
- Recognize and employ effective coping mechanisms to manage anxiety and self-esteem issues stemming from a narcissistic family upbringing.
- Analyze the psychological impacts of sibling favoritism and describe effective strategies for addressing its negative effects on family dynamics.
- Demonstrate understanding of the historical and cultural factors influencing favoritism by identifying key examples from ancient to modern societies.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
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