Patterns of sibling aggression and mental health in childhood and adolescence

Abstract

The persistence, new onset, or desistence of sibling victimization and its associations with mental health are unknown. We examine how patterns of sibling victimization (Persist, New Onset, Desist, and None) are associated with mental health in childhood and adolescence. We also compare sibling victimization experiences (i.e., physical severity and number of victimization types experienced) that continue versus stop across two time points. A telephone survey was conducted with a U.S. nationally representative sample (N = 1,936) that included reports of parents with children (age 2-9) and adolescents’ self-reports (age 10 to 17). Distribution of the four patterns differed by age group, and the Persist and New Onset patterns were predictive of lower mental health. In both age groups, the Persist group was more likely than the Desist group to experience severe physical assault (weapon used and/or an injury occurred) and two or more types of sibling victimization in the past year. In adolescence, the Desist group was more likely to report mild physical assault than did the Persist group. Chronic sibling victimization (Persist group) is associated with vulnerability to mental health difficulties and severe victimization. Preventing and stopping sibling victimization could reduce physical injuries and mental health despair in childhood and adolescence.

Keywords:

• Aggression
• family violence
• mental health
• siblings
• victimization

Disclosure of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

For the purposes of compliance with section 507 of Public Law 104-208 (Stevens Amendment), readers are advised that 100% of the funds for this program are derived from federal sources (this project was supported by grant 2006-JW-BX-0003 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice) to the second and third authors. The total amount of federal funding involved is $2,709,912. Support was also provided by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention through an interagency agreement with the Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice or the CDC.

Notes on contributors

Corinna Jenkins Tucker

Corinna Jenkins Tucker, Ph.D. is the Director of the Sibling Aggression and Abuse Research and Advocacy Initiative (SAARA) at the Crimes against Children Research Center and Professor Emerita of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of New Hampshire. Her research focuses on sibling relationships and parenting.

David Finkelhor

David Finkelhor, Ph.D., is the Director of the Crimes against Children Research Center, Co-Director of the Family Research Laboratory, Professor of Sociology, and University Professor, at the University of New Hampshire. He studies the problems of child victimization, child maltreatment, family violence, and child sexual abuse.

Heather Turner

Heather Turner, Ph.D., is a Professor of Sociology and Senior Research Associate at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Turner’s research program concentrates on social stress processes and mental health, including the effects of violence and victimization on children and adolescents.