Sibling abuse tends to remain under-reported despite its potentially devastating consequences. The authors argue that recognising sibling abuse is crucial for the wellbeing of victims, perpetrators and families.
Research on siblings and sibling abuse
Sibling relationships shape development, self-esteem and relatedness. Adolescents who have a secure relationship with their siblings tend to have higher self-esteem and emotional wellbeing than those who do not feel supported by siblings.
Sibling abuse differs from sibling rivalry in a number of ways. Rivalry is a normative part of sibling development, with each child having an equal opportunity for advantage and disadvantage. There is a reciprocal element to rivalry, with one sibling being hurtful to another at one time, and the other sibling being hurtful at other times.
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