Family dynamics and young children’s sibling victimization.

Abstract

This research examines how family dynamics like interparental conflict, family violence, and quality of parenting are associated with young children's experiences of sibling victimization. We use nationally representative data from interviews with caregivers of 1,726 children aged 2 to 9 years of age. We hypothesized different family dynamics predictors for a composite of common types of sibling victimization (property, psychological, and mild physical aggression) in comparison to severe physical sibling victimization (victimization that includes physical aggression with a weapon and/or injury). Multinomial regression results showed that sibling victimization in general was associated with negative family dynamics but that children in the severe group had even less parental warmth, poor parental supervision, and greater exposure to interparental conflict and family violence than children in the common types victimization group. Different aspects of family dynamics contribute to sibling victimization, but possibly in different ways and with different consequences. The findings underscore the importance of a family systems theory approach to clinical and intervention work.

The Prevalence and Psychopathological Correlates of Sibling Bullying in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…In line with previous reports, White ethnicity (Tucker et al 2013 ) and birth order (Bowes et al 2014 ) were predictive of sibling bullying. Furthermore it has been reported by some (Tucker et al 2014a ) but not others (Wolke et al 2015 ) that sibling bullying may be higher in lone parent compared to two parent households. In the current study, such an effect was not found.…”

Sibling Bullying in Middle Childhood is Associated with Psychosocial Difficulties in Early Adolescence: The Case of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…A few studies have explored the psychosocial correlates of sibling bullying in general population samples (Tucker et al 2013(Tucker et al , 2014avan Berkel et al 2018;Wolke and Samara 2004). These studies mostly used cross-sectional or retrospective methods, with only a limited number using a longitudinal approach (Bowes et al 2014;van Berkel et al 2018;Wolke et al 2015).…”

Trouble in the nest: Antecedents of sibling bullying victimization and perpetration.

“…When parents are unable to intervene effectively (by ignoring or allowing negative behaviour within the family system), the sibling relationship may become a training ground through which hostility is reinforced and eventually escalates into sibling bullying (victimization or perpetration). In support of coercion theory, inconsistent parenting, poor parental supervision and high levels of sibling conflict have been identified as early indicators of sibling aggression (Menesini et al, 2010;Tucker et al, 2014;Updegraff et al, 2005). Coercion theory would hence suggest that children who are permitted to freely engage in sibling aggression early on, will be at-risk for involvement in sibling bullying.…”