NCJ Number
245308
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2014 Pages: 123-134
Date Published
January 2014
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study compared the adjustment of older and younger siblings exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV); compared the quality of these sibling relationships from multiple perspectives; and examined how sibling adjustment and relationship quality influenced children's adjustment.
Abstract
The study found that the sibling relationships of children exposed to IPV made a difference in their individual adjustment, and their adjustment issues influenced how they felt about and interacted with their sibling. Sibling hostility played a stronger role in adjustment issues than sibling warmth. Older sibling depressive symptoms predicted those of younger siblings in the context of low warmth, but younger sibling depressive symptoms influenced those of older siblings in the context of high hostility. An absence of warmth between siblings was not equivalent to hostility. Older sibling externalizing problems tended to predict those of younger siblings when hostility was high. The externalizing behavior of younger siblings did not have the same predictive capacity for older siblings, suggesting that older siblings may be more salient role models when engaging in overt negative behaviors. The greater influence of older siblings on aggressive behavior may be especially marked when siblings have been exposed to IPV. Future research should explore this issue further. Forty-seven sibling pairs and their mothers were recruited from the community. Mothers self-reported on their IPV using the Conflict Tactics Scale, and mothers also estimated the length of time their children were exposed to IPV. Mothers and children completed assessments of child adjustment and the quality of sibling relationships. Observers also assessed the quality of sibling interaction. 3 tables, 5 figures, and 49 references