Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Childhood Sibling Aggression and Emotional Difficulties and Aggressive Behavior in Adulthood

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Family Violence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Preliminary evidence indicates that childhood sibling aggression, the most common form of family violence, might be associated with aggression and emotional difficulties in adulthood. Three hundred twenty-two adult participants, recruited from various sources, completed an online survey retrospectively examining this relationship further. Levels of childhood sibling aggression perpetration and victimization were highly correlated, precluding separate analyses. Significant associations between childhood sibling aggression and adult emotional difficulties and aggression were found, even after controlling for exposure to other forms of family violence and other demographic variables. Neither gender nor reported sibling relationship moderated the childhood sibling aggression and adult difficulties effects. These findings, while mostly exploratory, suggest that greater attention should be paid to childhood sibling aggression.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguilar, B., O’Brien, K. M., August, G. J., Aoun, S. L., & Hektner, J. M. (2001). Relationship quality of aggressive children and their siblings: a multiinformant, multimeasure investigation. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 29(6), 479–489.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Amato, P. R. (1991). Psychological distress and the recall of childhood family characteristics. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 53(4), 1011–1019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C. A., & Carnagey, N. L. (2004). Violent evil and the general aggression model. In A. G. Miller (Ed.), The social psychology of good and evil (pp. 168–192). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Antony, M. M., Bieling, P. J., Cox, B. J., Enns, M. W., & Swinson, R. P. (1998). Psychometric properties of the 42-item and 21-item versions of the depression anxiety stress scales in clinical groups and a community sample. Psychological Assessment, 10(2), 176–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, M. (2007). Elder mistreatment: risk, vulnerability, and early mortality. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 12(6), 313–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1979). Social learning theory of aggression. Journal of Communication, 28(3), 12–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Button, D. M., & Gealt, R. (2010). High risk behaviors among victims of sibling violence. Journal of Family Violence, 25(2), 131–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, B. E. (1984). Children’s observations of inter-parental violence. In A. R. Roberts (Ed.), Battered women and their families (pp. 147–167). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caspi, J. (2012). Sibling aggression: assessment and treatment. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J., & Munn, P. (1986). Sibling quarrels and maternal intervention: individual differences in understanding and aggression. Journal of Child Psychiatry and Psychology, 27(5), 583–595.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J., Slomkowski, C., Beardsall, L., & Rende, R. (1994). Adjustment in middle childhood and early adolescence: links with earlier and contemporary sibling relationships. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 35(3), 491–504.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Edleson, J. (1999). The overlap between child maltreatment and woman battering. Violence Against Women, 5(2), 134–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen, S., & Jensen, V. (2009). A push or a punch: distinguishing the severity of sibling violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24(1), 183–208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evanson, T. (2006). Addressing domestic violence through maternal-child health home visiting: what we do and do not know. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 23(2), 95–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Felson, R. B., & Russo, N. J. (1988). Parental punishment and sibling aggression. Social Psychology Quarterly, 51(1), 11–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D., & Dzuiba-Leatherman, J. (1994). Victimization of children. American Psychologist, 49(3), 173–183.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R., Turner, H., & Hamby, S. L. (2005). The victimization of children and youth: a comprehensive, national survey. Child Maltreatment, 10(1), 5–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R., & Turner, H. (2006). Kid’s stuff: the nature and impact of peer and sibling violence on younger and older children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 30(12), 1401–1421.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, M. P., & Roscoe, B. (1990). Sibling violence and agonistic interactions among middle adolescents. Adolescence, 25(98), 451–467.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Graham-Bermann, S. A., Cutler, S. E., Litzenberger, B. W., & Schwartz, W. E. (1994). Perceived conflict and violence in childhood sibling relationships and later emotional adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 8(1), 85–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grych, J. H., Jouriles, E. N., Swank, P. R., McDonald, R., & Norwood, W. D. (2000). Patterns of adjustment among children of battered women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(1), 84–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gully, K. J., Dengerink, H. A., Pepping, M., & Bergstrom, D. (1981). Research note: sibling contribution to violent behavior. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 43(2), 333–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, M. S. (2001). Physical aggression and sexual behavior among siblings: a retrospective study. Journal of Family Violence, 16(3), 255–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, K. L., Kiecolt, K. J., & Edwards, J. N. (2005). Physical violence between siblings: a theoretical and empirical analysis. Journal of Family Issues, 26(8), 1103–1130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, H. M. (1997). Research concerning children of battered women: clinical implications. In R. Geffner, S. B. Sorenson, & P. K. Lundberg-Love (Eds.), Violence and sexual abuse at home: current issues, interventions, and research in spousal battering and child maltreatment (pp. 225–244). Binghamton: Haworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, H. M., & Barad, S. J. (1982). Changes in the psychological functioning of children in a battered women’s shelter: a pilot study. Victimology, 7(1–4), 60–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jouriles, E. N., & Norwood, W. D. (1995). Physical aggression toward boys and girls characterized by the battering of woman. Journal of Family Psychology, 9(1), 69–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jouriles, E. N., McDonald, R., Spiller, L. C., Norwood, W. D., Swank, P. R., Stephens, N., Ware, H., & Buzy, W. M. (2001). Reducing conduct problems among children of battered women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(5), 774–785.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., McHale, S., Crouter, A., & Osgood, D. (2007). Longitudinal linkages between sibling relationships and adjustment from middle childhood through adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 43(4), 960–973.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krienert, J. L., & Walsh, J. A. (2011). My brother’s keeper: a contemporary examination of reported sibling violence using national level data, 2000–2005. Journal of Family Violence, 26(5), 331–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Linares, L. O. (2005). An understudied form of intra-family violence: sibling-to-sibling aggression among foster children. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 11(1), 95–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovibond, P. F., & Lovibond, S. H. (1995). The structure of negative emotional states: comparison of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) with the beck depression and anxiety inventories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33(3), 335–342.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mackey, A. L., Fromuth, M. E., & Kelly, D. B. (2010). The association of sibling relationship and abuse with later psychological adjustment. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(6), 955–968.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacMillan, H. L., Fleming, J. E., Streiner, D. L., Lin, E., Boyle, M. H., Jamieson, E., Duku, E. K., Walsh, C. A., Wong, M. Y., & Bearsdlee, W. R. (2001). Childhood abuse and lifetime psychopathology in a community sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1878–1883.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mangold, W. D., & Koski, P. R. (1990). Gender comparisons in the relationship between parental and sibling violence and nonfamily violence. Journal of Family Violence, 5(3), 225–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marganski, A. J. (2010). Adult attachment as a mediator/moderator to early experiences of family violence victimization on adult physically violent behavior. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). New Brunswick: Rutgers University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margolin, G. (1998). Effects of domestic violence on children. In P. K. Trickett & C. J. Schellenbach (Eds.), Violence against children in the family and the community (pp. 57–101). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mathis, G. M., Mueller, C. W., Zhang, Y., & Becker, K. D. (2010). Children’s exposure to violence by various family members living in the home. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 3(1), 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, R., & Jouriles, E. N. (1991). Marital aggression and child behavior problems: research findings, mechanisms, and intervention strategies. The Behavior Therapist, 14(6), 189–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noland, V. J., Liller, K. D., McDermott, R. J., Coulter, M. L., & Seraphine, A. E. (2004). Is adolescent sibling violence a precursor to college dating violence? American Journal of Health Behavior, 28(Suppl1), S13–S23.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Paivio, S. C. (2001). Stability of retrospective self-reports of child abuse and neglect before and after therapy for child abuse issues. Child Abuse and Neglect, 25(8), 1053–1068.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R., Dishion, T. J., & Bank, L. (1984). Family interaction: a process model of deviancy training. Aggressive Behavior, 10(3), 253–267.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rennison, C. M., & Welchans, S. (2000). Intimate partner violence. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report. (NCJ 178247). Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richters, J. E., & Martinez, P. (1993). The NIMH community violence project: I. Children as victims of and witnesses to violence. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes. Special Issue: Children and Violence, 56(1), 7–21.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Riggio, H. R. (2000). Measuring attitudes towards adult sibling relationships: the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17(6), 707–728.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roscoe, B., Goodwin, M. P., & Kennedy, D. (1987). Sibling violence and agonistic interactions experienced by early adolescents. Journal of Family Violence, 2(2), 121–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simonelli, C. J., Mullis, T., Elliott, A. N., & Pierce, T. W. (2002). Abuse by siblings and subsequent experiences of violence within the dating relationship. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17(2), 103–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slomkowski, C., Rende, R., Conger, K. J., Simons, R. L., & Conger, R. D. (2001). Sisters, brothers, and delinquency: evaluating social influence during early and middle adolescence. Child Development, 72(1), 271–283.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J., & Ross, H. (2007). Training parents to mediate sibling disputes affects children’s negotiation and conflict understanding. Child Development, 78(3), 790–805.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steinmetz, S. K. (1977). The use of force for resolving family conflict: the training ground for abuse. The Family Coordinator, 26(1), 19–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stocker, C. M., Dunn, J., & Plomin, R. (1989). Sibling relationships: links with child temperament, maternal behavior, and family structure. Child Development, 60(3), 715–727.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A. (1979). Measuring intrafamily conflict and violence: the Conflict Tactics (CT) scales. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 41(1), 75–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A. (1992). Children as witnesses to marital violence: a risk factor for lifelong problems among a nationally representative sample of American men and women. Report of the Twenty-Third Ross Roundtable. Columbus: Ross Laboratories.

  • Straus, M. A. (1999). Child-report, adult-recall, and sibling versions of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales. Retrieved from http://pubpages.unh.edu/~mas2/CTS24D.pdf.

  • Straus, M. A., & Gelles, R. J. (1990). How violent are American families? Estimates from the national family violence resurvey and other studies. In M. A. Straus (Ed.), Physical violence in American families (pp. 95–112). New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Gelles, R. J., & Steinmetz, S. K. (1980). Behind closed doors: Violence in the American family. Garden City: Anchor Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hamby, S. L., Boney-McCoy, S., & Sugarman, D. B. (1996). The revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2): development and preliminary psychometric data. Journal of Family Issues, 17(3), 283–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sudermann, M., & Jaffe, P. G. (1999). Child witnesses of domestic violence. In R. T. Ammerman & M. Hersen (Eds.), Assessment of family violence: A clinical and legal sourcebook (pp. 343–366). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toth, S. L., Harris, L. S., Goodman, G. S., & Cicchetti, D. (2011). Influence of violence and aggression on children’s psychological development: trauma, attachment, and memory. In P. R. Shaver & M. Mikulincer (Eds.), Human aggression and violence: Causes, manifestations, and consequences (pp. 351–365). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), US Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect. (1990). Child abuse and neglect: Critical first steps in response to a national emergency. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitaker, D. J., Haileyesus, T., Swahn, M., & Saltzman, L. S. (2007). Differences in frequency of violence and reported injury between relationships with reciprocal and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence. Reseach and Practice, 97(5), 941–947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiehe, V. R. (1990). Sibling abuse: Hidden physical, emotional, and sexual trauma. Lexington: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D. A., Zak, L., Wilson, S., & Jaffe, P. (1986). Child witnesses to violence between parents: critical issues in behavioral and social adjustment. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 14(1), 95–104.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gloria Mathis.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 3 Bivariate correlations and phi coefficients for demographic, predicator, and dichotomous criterion variables

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mathis, G., Mueller, C. Childhood Sibling Aggression and Emotional Difficulties and Aggressive Behavior in Adulthood. J Fam Viol 30, 315–327 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9670-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-015-9670-5

Keywords

Navigation