“I Feel Closer to Her Now That I Know What She Went Through”: Findings from a Survey on Siblings’ Relationships Following Childhood Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Limited attention has focused on sibling relationships following disclosure of childhood sexual abuse. This study sought to investigate changes, if any, in sibling relationships before, immediately following disclosure, and at the present time, from the perspective of non-abused adult siblings. A cross-sectional survey design was used to measure the extent of closeness, explore changes in relationships, and whether closeness varied according to other factors such as age, gender, birth order, or favoritism by parents. Analysis of 99 participant responses indicated that participants felt more close to their siblings following disclosure. Further analysis indicated that while participants felt more positive feelings toward their abused sibling when the abuser was intrafamilial, they felt less close to them than when the abuser was extrafamilial. The findings highlight the complexity of relational dynamics and emotional responses (e.g., ambivalence) in family relationships in general, and sibling relationships in particular, as family members manage the fallout of child sexual abuse. More research is needed to explore the impact of sexual abuse on this important family relationship.