Intergenerational Transmission of Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence: A Potential Connection to Elder Abuse

Perkins, Nathan H.; Spira, Marcia; Key, Julie Erin

doi:10.1177/1044389418782429

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The need to examine the connection between PESV and attachment in adulthood has been noted and implied previously (Meyers, 2016;Perkins et al, 2018). Some studies have specifically examined connections between sibling violence and attachment (Lee et al, 2014;Tibbetts & Scharfe, 2015;Walters et al, 2020), yet these studies focused on youth and young adulthood.…”

Section: Sibling Violence and Adult Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Attachment in Close Relationships in Adulthood

Perkins,

Lees

2023

J Interpers Violence

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Despite the consequences of physical and emotional sibling violence, which can last into adulthood, research examining this form of family violence is minimal compared to child abuse, interpartner violence, and elder abuse. One area that has received scarce attention is the connection between physical and emotional sibling violence and attachment in close relationships in adulthood. This research study examines the association between physical and emotional sibling violence and adulthood attachment in a sample of 2,458 individuals who completed a survey on the sub-Reddit platform “/r/SampleSize: Where your opinions actually matter!” Participants completed items on demographics, frequency of physical and emotional behaviors experienced with a sibling in childhood, and adult attachment. Results found physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood to be associated with attachment in close relationships in adulthood. Frequency of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood was also associated with comfortability with intimacy and closeness, comfortability of depending and relying on others, and concerns of abandonment and rejection by others in adulthood. The findings underscore the need to not only include physical and emotional sibling violence in future research on attachment but also to examine the connection between these phenomena in diverse samples (ethnicity, sexual orientation). Also highlighted is the need for practitioners to assess sibling relationships when working with children, families, and adults experiencing attachment issues throughout the life course.

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Section: Sibling Violence and Adult Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Attachment in Close Relationships in Adulthood

Perkins,

Lees

2023

J Interpers Violence

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“…Previously, in Wiehe's (1998) study, adult sibling survivors reported that the way siblings treated them was similar to the way parents treated them. More recently, Perkins, Spira, and Key (2018) used social learning theory to explore the link between sibling abuse and later elder abuse. The authors explored in a case study how sibling violence may increase the risk of elder abuse, as Wiehe (1997) has also argued, suggesting intergenerational transmission of family violence.…”

Section: Theoretical Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-Lethal Physical Abuse of Siblings

Relva¹,

Alarcão²,

Harrison³

et al. 2021

The SAGE Handbook of Domestic Violence

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Siblings play an important role on child development and personality. However, several characteristics of the sibling relationship put sibling interactions at risk for frequent incidents of conflict. Several studies report that violence among siblings may be the most common form of family violence, with prevalence rates remaining relatively constant over the past 40 years, but society and people in the family environment still often overlook it, deeming these aggressive interactions 'normal'. Society recognizes child abuse, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse as significant social problems, but awareness of sibling abuse as a serious form of family violence remains low. The aim of the present chapter is to contribute to a better understanding of non-lethal physical abuse of siblings. The chapter will explore: differences between play fighting and sibling violence; differences between rivalry and sibling violence; associations of sibling violence with other forms of domestic violence (parent-to-child violence, dating violence, parent-to-parent violence, bullying at school); prevalence of different types of sibling violence (e.g., physical, verbal, and sexual); and perceptions of sibling violence from victims, perpetrators, and the wider society. The chapter will also explore risk factors for sibling violence (e.g., peer bullying, hostility, and anger), alongside short-term and long-term consequences (e.g., mental health difficulties, increased aggressive behavior outside the home, and interpersonal problems) of these behaviors. The role of other variables such gender, age, family communication, parenting quality, sibling attachment, and differential treatment by parents in sibling violence will also be considered. Cultural differences will be explored. The literature will be discussed in relation to several theoretical perspectives, such as family systems theory, social learning theory, and feminist theory, to help understand sibling violence. Suggestions regarding prevention and intervention are also discussed.

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“…Although the problem of elder abuse may not seem relevant to the issue of sibling violence, caregivers may be siblings, or as noted in the discussion above regarding the consequences of sibling violence in adulthood, abuse between adult siblings and/or unresolved issues from childhood violence between siblings may affect the well-being of an elderly parent (Perkins, Spira, & Key, 2018). Thus, legislation focused on the issue of elder abuse could potentially be one policy venue for addressing the issue albeit in later life.…”

Section: Elder Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

Sibling Violence

Perkins

Grossman

2020

ASW

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Social work has played an integral role in the conceptualization and implementation of policy aimed at prevention and intervention of various forms of family violence. Seminal federal policies to address child abuse and neglect (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act), elder abuse (Elder Justice and Older Americans Acts), and intimate partner violence (Violence Against Women and Family Violence Prevention and Services Acts) all focus on specific types of violence in the family. To date, however, there are no federal policies specifically addressing physical and/or emotional sibling violence (Perkins, Coles, & O’Connor, 2017; Perkins & O’Connor, 2016). This article examines the exclusion of policy addressing physical and emotional sibling violence considering other family violence policies. Along with prevalence, consequences, and associative factors connected to sibling violence, definitional issues that impede the creation of policy to address this form of family violence are highlighted. Children as a marginalized population, deserving the attention of social workers through policy advocacy will be discussed as well as psychoeducation and interprofessional collaboration that may facilitate the creation of policies aimed at addressing this form of family violence.

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Intergenerational Transmission of Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence: A Potential Connection to Elder Abuse

Cited by 12 publications

References 45 publications

Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Attachment in Close Relationships in Adulthood

Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Attachment in Close Relationships in Adulthood

Non-Lethal Physical Abuse of Siblings

Sibling Violence

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