Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence Behaviors with Closest-Aged Siblings in Childhood: An Exploratory Study Examining Associations with Sibling Relationships in Adulthood

Abstract

Research examining the influence of physical and emotional sibling violence on siblings’ relationships across the lifespan is scant. This exploratory research examined whether affect, behavior, and cognitions associated with closest-aged sibling relationships in childhood as well as the occurrence of behaviors associated with physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood impacted adult sibling relationships in a sample of 156 adults. Using the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (Riggio J Soc Pers Relat 17(6):707–728, 2000), associations were found between all aspects of childhood and adulthood sibling relationships. Frequency of sibling violence behaviors correlated with Child Affect and Adult Behavior. Differences were found between females and males on Child Affect, Adult Behavior, and Frequency of Sibling Violence Behaviors. Regression models examined whether childhood sibling relationship quality (Child Affect, Child Behavior, Child Cognitions), frequency of sibling violence behaviors in childhood, and gender predicted Adult Affect, Adult Behavior, Adult Cognitions. Child Affect and Child Cognitions predicted Adult Affect, Child Behavior and gender predicted Adult Behavior, and only Child Cognitions predicted Adult Cognition. Frequency of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood did not predict Adult Affect, Adult Behavior, or Adult Cognitions individually. However, frequency of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood was associated with a total adult sibling relationship score when controlling for a total childhood sibling relationship score. Findings suggest the need for future research to consider the complexity of closest-aged sibling relationships across the lifespan and how physical and emotional sibling violence factors into how individuals perceive their relationships with siblings.