Aggression between siblings

Associations with the home environment and peer bullying

Bibliographic Data

ID11106982
AuthorsNeil Tippett (0000-0003-3383-6181, Department of Psychology University of Warwick Coventry UK, corresponding author), Dieter Wolke (0000-0003-0304-268X, Department of Psychology University of Warwick Coventry UK)
Year2015
Volume41
Issue1
Pages14-24
Publication date2015-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAggressive Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0096-140X • E-ISSN: 1098-2337
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ab.21557
PMID25187483
OpenAlexW1826686425
LanguageEN
Citations received57
References cited77

Sibling aggression is a common form of intra-familial aggression, yet has been largely neglected by research. Using an inclusive measure of sibling aggression, this study investigated, firstly, prevalence of sibling aggression and associations with family and household characteristics, and secondly, the relationship between sibling aggression and peer bullying. Participants were 4,237 adolescents from Wave 1 of Understanding Society. Four types of sibling aggression were measured: physical, verbal, stealing and teasing, and combined into composite measures of victimization and perpetration. Regression analysis identified associations with demographic characteristics, family and sibling composition, parent-child relationships and socioeconomic status and explored the link between sibling aggression and involvement in peer bullying. Using a broad definition, sibling aggression was found to be widespread, with 46% of all participants being victimized and 36% perpetrating aggression. Household and family characteristics, including a large family size, male siblings, and financial difficulties were associated with greater rates of sibling aggression. Parenting behavior showed the strongest relationship: harsh parenting increased the risk of sibling aggression while positive parenting protected against it. Sibling aggression was also homotypically related to involvement in peer bullying. Victimization by siblings significantly increased the odds of being a victim of peer bullying, and perpetrators of sibling aggression were more likely to be both peer bullies and bully-victims. Considering the adverse effects of sibling aggression on physical and mental health, the study provides pointers for efforts to reduce the risk of sibling aggression. Furthermore, the link with peer bullying suggests that school anti-bullying efforts should also take account of children's sibling relationships. Aggr. Behav. 41:14-24, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Aggression · Developmental psychology · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Peer group · Peer victimization · Poison control · Sibling · Sibling relationship · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology