3250.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 3

Abstract #6343

An exploratory study of adolescent sibling violence

Virginia J. Noland, MPH and Karen D. Liller, PhD. College of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813-974-0420, vnoland@com1.med.usf.edu

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.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA