Sibling Aggression Harms Mental Health, Bullying Under-Recognized in Kids

It may not come as a surprise that traumatic events in early childhood can lead to mental distress. However, a new study notes that sibling aggression, similar to peer aggression, may stimulate problems that can lead to anger, depression and even heavy anxiety in children that could fester into problems down the road.

The study found that 32 percent of children and adolescents involved had experienced one type of sibling aggression during the previous year. It also showed that regardless of whether the aggression was mild or severe, bullied children showed significantly worse mental health than those who had not been bullied.

"There is a natural emotional intensity to sibling relationships," said lead author Corinna Jenkins Tucker, an associate professor of family studies at the University of New Hampshire. "There is a lot of love, but also the potential for a lot of conflicts."

The researchers analyzed information from 3,600 adolescent telephone interviews, ages 10 to 17, and with adult caregivers of children 9 and under. Each of the participants had at least one sibling under 18 who was living at home. The data were obtained as part of The National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence, which documents the incidence and prevalence of youngsters' exposure to violence.

The interviews showed that adolescents experienced bullying by a sibling in the past year, including physical assault, property victimization, or psychological aggression.

Tucker said that parents often downplayed sibling aggression. Because of this, it's often "under-recognized and under-estimated."

Tucker said that parents and other adults often downplay sibling aggression. As a result, it's "under-recognized and under-estimated," she said. "Our work is showing that in some cases, the mental distress associated with sibling aggression is similar to what we see with peer aggression. It is something to be taken seriously." 

However, she emphasizes that these findings are not necessarily new, especially for those who have been paying attention. Truth be told, they just may not have been getting enough attention, and parents, in particular, should heed these warnings. 

The study is published today (June 17) in the journal Pediatrics.