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Teenage girls grow better if they have an older siblings to confide about sex relationships and other sensitive issues, a new study has found. They also tend to look at their older sisters as role models.

A new research at University of Missouri in America recorded conversations among volunteer family members who talked about issues like health, sex, relationships and other worries. They found that older sisters make much better confidants than a parent.

Also the older sister gave most useful advice and guidance when needed.

In general girls tend to identify themselves as other girls as they are most likely to have had the same types of experience, and so confide, reported Daily Mail.

’Our findings indicate that sisters play important roles as adolescent girls form ideas about romantic relationships and sexuality," said Sarah Killoren, assistant professor of human development at Missouri University, according to Daily Mail.

“Sisters are important communication partners when it comes to these sensitive topics.”

The sisters’ conversation also tend to get more intimate and often the root cause gets discovered, study suggested. They also found that the older sister asked more pertinent questions which in turn helps in solving problems.

“Given their age, older sisters were more likely to have advice to share and have romantic relationships and sexual experiences from which their younger sisters can learn,” Killoren added according to Daily Mail. 

“Younger sisters frequently commented on their older sisters’ negative experiences, such as teen pregnancy and abusive relationships, and made decisions to be different. Learning only from negative experiences could occur because younger sisters only consciously identify the experiences of their sisters that they do not want to repeat.”

The study also supports the involvement of older sisters in family planning aimed at teenagers and particularly over issues such as practicing safe sex.