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Sibling bullying and other abuse

Children who bully their brothers and sisters are themselves likely to have been physically abused or neglected by their parents. They are also likely to have their abusive behaviour condoned by parents and possibly also by other adults such as grandparents, and to receive inconsistent discipline in the home.

These are the findings that have emerged from a review study conducted by Dr Paul Naylor, Professor Digby Tantam and Professor Emmy van Deurzen of the University of Sheffield, which will be presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference at the City Hall Cardiff on Saturday 1 April 2006.

The research, which reviewed 34 existing studies on childhood sibling abuse, found that this is typically associated with parental child abuse, and other abusive relationships in the family. Other key causes of sibling abuse included low marital quality, divorce and remarriage. Parental aggression and domestic violence however, were not found to be factors.

Two studies conducted in the US suggest that, approximately 30 per cent of children and adolescents have been or will be abused in one way or another by a sibling, and that 7 per cent of these have experienced or will experience some kind of incestuous sibling behaviour. In general, there is little research into the area, especially when compared to the literature available on bullying amongst school children and the bullying of adults in the workplace.

Dr Naylor said: "It has been suggested that the sibling relationship is unique and is one of the most important influences on children’s development, but we know surprisingly little about the effects, short - or longer-term, of sibling bullying and abuse on the abused, the abusers or their families. In light of the findings to date on the potential for bullying and abuse in sibling childhood and adolescent relationships, we suggest that these issues warrant much greater attention from siblings, parents, researchers and practitioners worldwide than they have to date."

Ref: PR967