Sibling violence has been described as the most common, as well as the most under-studied form of family violence. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore university students experience with sibling violence during adolescence (N=43). The data were gathered using a modified version of the Conflict Tactics Scales. The sample was comprised of 62.8% females and 37.2% males. Nearly 47% of the respondents were white and 41.9% were African-American. The majority of the respondents reported conflict with an older sibling (53.5%), and 34.9% experienced conflict with a younger sibling. The mean age difference between siblings was 3.44 years. The majority of students (92%) reported sibling relationships involving the use of loud talking, yelling, and screaming. Conflict resulting in hitting or throwing something was also a common occurrence (65.8%). Respondents reported similar rates of perpetrator (55.3%) and victim (50%) status when asked about arguments resulting in hitting with a fist, object, kicking or biting. Approximately 18% of the sample had threatened to use a weapon against a sibling, and nearly 8% percent of the sample reported the actual use of a weapon against a sibling, or having been the victim of a sibling using a weapon against them. Future research will explore the association between sibling violence and other forms of interpersonal violence, including conflict among dating partners.
Learning Objectives: Define sibling violence. List 3 factors contributing to sibling violence. Discuss the role of sibling violence in the cycle of family violence
Keywords: Family Violence, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.