Sibling Conflict - Literature review Example

Sibling Conflict In “The Use of Force for Resolving Family Conflict: The Training Ground for Abuse,” Suzanne K. Steinmetz introduces her focus as being that of how hostile behavior within the home is reflected and manifested in the behavior of the children, but does not elucidate much on this, choosing instead to focus on the explanations regarding the two main premises that must be understood regarding her work: that normal families are not conflict-free and therefore has the potential to abuse a child and that violence as a problem-solving method is learned in a family setting. The literature review supports the idea that violence only leads to the use of more violence, but does not seem to be sufficiently rounded to truly represent the study. The study, then, is introduced as a means of learning the resolution patterns utilized by families that are not labeled as abusive to identify the coping mechanism necessary to help families that use abusive techniques. The sample was obtained by requesting students at a large urban university get two questionnaires filled out resulting in a broad-based, non-representative sample group. The questionnaire sought information regarding the respondent’s relationships with their mother, father and each sibling as well as information regarding how they’d characterize the relationship between their mother and father. Data obtained through these questionnaires were then sorted into three main conflict resolution strategies including discussion, verbal aggression and physical aggression. The methods of analysis are provided within the document even while patterns, correlations and limitations were noted and remarked upon. The findings supported the ideas behind the social learning theory, indicating that aggressive conflict resolution strategies used between the parents and by the parents while working with the children were repeated in the methods used by the children to resolve conflicts with siblings. While the actual measurements and analyses are offered within the document, plain discussion of the findings is not present. Limitations of the study are commented upon within the body of the document and further research is suggested within the conclusion, including a re-definition of the ‘normal’ family as a unit that does exist within a context of conflict. In their “Research Note: Sibling Contribution to Violent Behavior” (1981), researchers investigated the link between violent behavior in adults and their participation in or witnessing of violent behavior as children. Although the actual subject of the current research isn’t mentioned directly within the first paragraph, the literature review makes it abundantly clear that this study will have something to do with the witnessing of violence in the home as a predictor for future violent behavior for adults. Specifically, the literature review illustrated the lack of any studies that focused on the relationship of the siblings as having anything to do with the use of violence in the future, thus introducing its own purpose. “The current study was designed as a beginning attempt to assess the relative contribution of parents and siblings to later violence and the relative contribution of direct and vicarious mechanisms of acquisition.” To conduct this study, researchers distributed a questionnaire to a group of undergraduate psychology students asking them to indicate the frequency with which they observed, experienced or engaged in various violent behaviors within their families and the likelihood that they would perform various behaviors in hypothetical situations. Participants were also asked to indicate the amount of violent behavior they had directed toward people outside of their families within the past year. Specific examples of questions are included in the report as well as general guidelines used in developing the questionnaire used. Results are described with a detailed description of the process of analysis used in evaluating the data received. Correlations are made between the various types of violence witnessed or participated in within the family context, the anticipated reactions in the hypothetical situations and the rate of violence within the everyday life of the individual participants. These results indicated a positive correlation between violence in the home and the probability of future violence as an adult. The focus provided on sibling involvement indicated “violence involving siblings may be more predictive of later adult violence than violent behaviors which involve parents. … violent interactions with siblings, particularly in the role of perpetrator, as more important than any other familial interactions in socializing persons to behave violently.” Limitations of the study are not discussed, nor are suggestions made for further research. In “Step In or Stay Out” (2005), researchers investigated the degree of parental involvement in adolescent sibling relationships and compared results to determine the effects of various parenting styles upon current and future relationships. The literature review, focusing primarily upon research conducted on how parents effect the social patterns of children and in how parental involvement in sibling relationships is typically organized, illustrates the need for direct research regarding exactly how parents influence the ways in which siblings relate to each other. The purpose of the study is stated as focusing on two forms of parents’ direct involvement in their adolescent offspring’s sibling relationships including the extent to which mothers and fathers spend time in the company of the sibling dyad and the ways in which parents intervene in sibling conflicts, to examine the implications of parental involvement for the qualities of sibling relationships and explore the links between adolescent characteristics and parents’ orientations. Participants were demographically limited to mostly white working to middle class families, but was structured in such a way as to adequately represent the four possible gender constellations of sibling dyads and enough families were involved in the study to offer an adequate picture for the results of the study. The procedure involved in-person interviews in the individuals’ homes and a series of telephone interviews and an analysis of results. The content of these interviews is briefly described so as to give an adequate idea of the focus of questions asked. Analysis tools are discussed to provide validity regarding the results obtained. Measures were taken of parents involvement in sibling conflict, parents’ time with the sibling dyad, parents’ warmth, intimacy in the sibling relationship and other similar factors to develop the conclusion. The findings are organized based upon the three main objectives of the study, suggesting that both parents participate in adolescent sibling relationships in a variety of ways. In addition, the nature of this involvement does have significant consequences for the sibling relationship. It is suggested within the text of the study that further research be conducted regarding the role of the parent in the development of the sibling relationship as well as the same type of study be conducted with a greater demographic range. In context with the bulk of supporting literature, there does seem to be sufficient evidence to inspire further research, but perhaps not enough to conclusively support the findings alone. In Marjorie Hardy’s “Physical Aggression and Sexual Behavior Among Siblings” study, the research topic is clearly stated within the title as well as the first paragraph as it is noted that the numbers of suspected sibling abuse far outdistance the numbers of parent to child abuse. The literature review indicates the types of children that are most likely to be included in the studies, those children who are more likely to initiate sibling abuse, an understanding of what does not constitute physical or sexual abuse as well as the impact this abuse has on children’s development. It was expected that families with too much or too little cohesion or flexibility would have a greater prevalence of sibling abuse. Several potential factors regarding both the prevalence and outcome effects of sibling sexual or physical abuse were listed, including the use of aggression and violence and the absence of communication within and outside of the family. The participants are described as mostly white women who were enrolled in an undergraduate psychology class who responded to the questionnaires approximately 20 at a time in a classroom during a period of approximately two weeks. For the purpose of the study, the participants were sufficient to address the hypothesis, but would require further research involving larger demographics to gain credence. Research instruments included the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, the Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes and a questionnaire devised by the study author to directly address the concerns of the study and to provide validity-enhancing data to support the statements received by participants. The findings are presented very clearly, with significant discussion of the results in a point by point format that does not seem to leave out any important data. One question it does not answer is the reason why a larger proportion of respondents felt they had been abused in hindsight, but had not felt abused at the time of abuse. However, the results were sufficient to indicate a greater tendency for children to suffer abuse at the hands of their siblings in homes coping with specific family stressors. The results are supported by evidence from other research and limitations of the study as well as areas in which further study should be conducted are indicated. A study conducted on Arab adolescents regarding conflict strategy was undertaken in “Predicting the Use of Different Conflict Tactics Among Arab Siblings in Israel” (Haj-Yahia & Dawud-Noursi, 1998) with the assumption that those children who witness violence in the home would be more likely to use violence to resolve sibling conflicts. While the literature review documented several studies that have been conducted that indicate the above hypothesis seems to be true in the Western world, it also demonstrated the lack of available research on children raised in the Arab cultural environment and the applicability of social learning theory to accurately predict the use of different conflict resolution tactics used by Arab youth with their siblings. Specific questions related to how Arab children compare and contrast to the responses of Western children from this perspective. The sample size is described in detail, indicating an appropriate size and demographic diversity to adequately address the issues of the study. Research tools included the use of Demographic Background Data and Conflict Tactics Scales, both of which contribute greatly to the validity of the results of the study. The study detailed the use of two pilot studies as well as the procedures for administering the questionnaires within the report, lending the study further credibility as readers can gain a sense of exactly how the study was conducted. However, specific questions included in the questionnaire are not included in the report, making it difficult to understand just how the results were evaluated. Results are presented in chart and discussion form, including detailed discussion of reasoning examples, verbal abuse and physical abuse witnessed in the home as compared to how the adolescents resolved issues with their siblings. These findings were sufficient to indicate a strong applicability of social learning theory to Arab adolescents and lending weight to the theory that witnessing abuse within the home leads to the use of abuse on siblings to resolve conflicts. Nancy Adler begins her study “Sibling Incest Offenders” by stating that “this study describes a predominantly Caucasian, middle-income sample of sibling incest offenders from primarily intact families” (1995) and discussion regarding the problem of sibling abuse being five times more prevalent than parental abuse yet studied less soon follows. The literature review covers the outcome effects on victims followed by discussion of the limited numbers of studies that have been conducted regarding the sibling offenders and the factors that contribute to the development of a sibling offender. This discussion leads naturally into “the purpose of the present descriptive study was to add to the limited literature available on sibling incest offenders in order to heighten clinical awareness and stimulate further research” but specific questions are not immediately identified. Participants in the study were selected retrospectively from available clinical intake material “following an influx of sibling incest cases to a hospital-based, outpatient psychiatric clinic.” The types of information available for the study included demographic data, perpetrator reports, parental reports, victim reports, police reports, child protective services reports, school records, psychosocial evaluations, mental status examinations and Child Behavior Checklists. This is sufficient data to spur discussion regarding possible profiles of sibling offenders and therefore meets the purpose of the study, but it is not sufficient to make any definitive conclusions. The findings are presented clearly including a breakdown of demographics, any indications of behavioral dysfunction, psychiatric diagnoses, histories of victimization, family characteristics and abuse characteristics. The boys included in the study were all very similar, with no noticeable danger signs other than stressful family characteristics and means of abuse on their sisters. The details of the findings coupled with the demographics and backgrounds of the subjects involved in the study provide provocative evidence that stressful situations within the family home might have significant influence upon occurrence of sibling abuse. The findings of this study are compared with previous studies in terms of the demographics. Limitations of the study are mentioned as well as ideas for further research. Researchers Marla Reese-Weber and Jeffery Kahn (2005) developed a mediation model of conflict resolution behaviors among various members of the family, including sibling to sibling, mother to adolescent, father to adolescent and mother to father, and vice versa for all. “Studies have found that late adolescents from divorced families have more negative attitudes regarding romantic relationships than late adolescents from intact families; however, differences in predictors of family and romantic-partner conflict resolution behaviors between adolescents from divorced versus intact families have not been examined. The present study provided such a test.” The literature review examined numerous studies into the Social Learning Theory and other interfamilial relationships and their effects upon each other. The participants are described as all being late adolescents participating in an undergraduate early psychology class who all have siblings within four years of their own age and were then involved in a romantic relationship. By setting these standards so exclusively, the researchers ensured their sample was indicative of the direct effects of inter-familial relationships within the home, with the least possible room for alternative causes. The study used the 22 item Conflict-Resolution Behavior Questionnaire to establish validity and to assess three major conflict resolution behaviors – attack, avoidance and compromise. The results of the study are presented through descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, path analysis and preliminary analysis, all of which indicate that children of divorced families tend to have more negative and abusive approaches to conflict resolution. The various ways in which the collected data is analyzed and reported leaves few questions unanswered and results correlate well with the results from previous studies. Limitations of the study are discussed including its specificity to late adolescents with siblings within four years of their age and the single tool of measurement used at a single point in time. In addition, the study mentions the problem of cause and effect in determining the outcomes of the study. Kominkiewicz (2004) immediately identifies his research subject as being that of the relationship between child protection caseworker definitions of sibling abuse and their discipline-specific educational background. The problem is identified as being a case of different educational backgrounds of social workers leading to widely differing definitions of sibling abuse even while working under the same general guidelines in the same department, ultimately affecting whether or not an abuse case is opened. The literature review focuses on the educational characteristics of child protection service caseworkers in the definition, reporting and subsequent investigation of sibling abuse and the institutional impact on sibling definition among caseworkers. Although it is not explicitly stated, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree to which a social worker’s education affects the definition and subsequent opening of a sibling abuse case as well as the degree to which institutional policies affect that earlier training. The study used qualitative and quantitative analyses to establish its results. In both situations, questionnaires were used. The quantitative analysis assessed 445 variables and examples of questions included are provided within the report. The qualitative analysis allowed variables used in the quantitative analysis to be expanded upon. Exact distribution and context of the research are not explicitly detailed, however, information regarding the mailed questionnaires and collection was provided. Results are presented clearly and succinctly indicating a clear difference in the way in which different undergraduate degrees led to different definitions of sibling abuse among social workers, followed by charted results which provide the necessary data to make this report believable. There is limited discussion that relates these results to other studies, but one section is devoted to a discussion of the limitations of this study. Rather than discussing suggestions for further research, the author discusses the importance of revising educational objectives in accordance with his findings. In “Treating Sibling Abuse Families” (2005), Caffaro & Con-Caffaro address the subject of how to treat sibling abuse families in an environment that has had little recognition of the problem, but their research and purpose is not made clear until the reader comes to the second chapter of the report. This is because the authors have elected to include a discussion and literature review that depicts the definition of healthy family relationships prior to the discussion regarding abusive relationships. When the research is introduced, specific questions to be addressed are provided including what family characteristics contribute to the development of abusive sibling relationships, how does the family configuration contribute and how does sibling incest and assault affect the adult survivor. The characteristics of the participants are clearly indicated to the degree of comparing category and frequency of abuse as well as a breakdown of adult survivors. The study itself mentions that the sample size is small and not necessarily representative of sibling abuse survivors in general, but indicates the frequencies are consistent with the results of previous studies. The study uses a combination of literature review and case study details to illustrate themes that were brought forward through their study, but did not provide a clear description of how they collected their data. Because of this, it is difficult to analyze the validity of their arguments. The findings are not presented clearly as the authors weave literature review with study results and case study details to illustrate the points they are trying to make. This confuses the issues they are trying to address, making it easy to allow important information to slip through the cracks. However, the inclusion of discussion and information from study participants regarding what types of therapies, treatments and strategies worked to help them overcome sibling abuse or to find help work to gloss over some of these gaps. Limitations of the study are discussed in detail, including the non-representative and small sample size, the limited demographics and the retrospective nature of the information gathered. The researchers call for widespread further research and focus in this field of study, indicating that a multi-dimensional approach is both needed and justified. Filling in an important gap in the literature, Shamla McLaurin investigated the various ways in which children were affected by sibling abuse in later life in her dissertation “Childhood Experiences of Sibling Abuse: An Investigation into Learned Helplessness.” She indicates her study has two primary purposes: “to capture the beliefs, feelings and firsthand account of the abusive sibling experiences from the perspective of victims and to investigate the potential learned responses associated with sibling abuse and their possible impact on adult relationships by exploring participants’ emotional and relational histories and belief systems. The literature review examines the various types of relationships among siblings and the long-term effects these relationships typically have throughout life as well as studies into family violence, condensing into a look at studies revolving around sibling abuse. In establishing her study, McLaurin posits nine specific questions she hopes to answer in her research. The sample used for this study consisted of six adult female sibling abuse survivors and is therefore only sufficient enough to report on the results of these six individual cases rather than providing a representational sample applicable to most cases. It was completed by conducting individual semi-structured interviews with the results analyzed using cross case analysis, constant comparison and analytic induction techniques. This triangulation of analysis measurements lends validity to the results within the specific case characteristics of these women. The results indicate that the long-term impacts of the learned responses associated with sibling abuse can be detrimental to future interpersonal relationships as well as the mental health of the victims. Themes regarding family functioning and coping strategies are highlighted within the research even while limitations regarding sample size and methods of data collection are acknowledged. Several suggestions for further research are made. Throughout this research, it becomes obvious that sibling abuse is not as ignored as it might seem within the literature, but several areas remain to be explored and understood. That these are not understood is evident in the apparent lack of emphasis within the education system for social workers and in the poor quality of material regarding appropriate treatment measures for the victim, the abuser and the family involved. That each family experiences some form of conflict is evident, but determining just where the line is that crosses from typically sibling rivalry to outright abuse and how parents should adequately respond to this abuse remains unclear. Much more research into the area of sibling abuse is necessary if the severity of the problem is to be reduced in any significant way. References Adler, Naomi A. (1995). “Sibling Incest Offenders.” Child Abuse & Neglect. Vol. 19, No. 7, pp. 811-819. Caffaro, John V. & Con-Caffaro, Allison. (2005). “Treating Sibling Abuse Families.” Aggression and Violent Behavior. Vol. 10, pp. 604-623. Gully, Kevin J.; Dengerink, Harold A.; Pepping, Mary; & Bergstrom, Douglas. (May 1981). “Research Note: Sibling Contribution to Violent Behavior.” Journal of Marriage and the Family. Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 333-337. Haj-Yahia, Muhammad M. & Dawud-Noursi, Samia. (1998). “Predicting the Use of Different Conflict Tactics Among Arab Siblings in Israel: A Study Based On Social Learning Theory.” Journal of Family Violence. Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 81-103. Hardy, Marjorie S. (2001). “Physical Aggression and Sexual Behavior Among Siblings: A Retrospective Study.” Journal of Family Violence. Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 255-268. Kominkiewicz, Frances Bernard. (2004). “The Relationship of Child Protection Service Caseworker Discipline-Specific Education and Definition of Sibling Abuse: An Institutional Hiring Impact Study.” The Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Vol. 9, No. 1/2, pp. 69-82. McHale, Susan M.; Updegraff, Kimberly A.; Tucker, Corinna J.; & Crouter, Ann C. (August 2000). “Step In or Stay Out? Parents’ Roles in Adolescent Siblings’ Relationships.” Journal of Marriage and the Family. Vol. 62, No. 3, pp. 746-760. McLaurin, Shamla Larasiza. (April 1, 2005). “Childhood Experiences of Sibling Abuse: An Investigation into Learned Helplessness.” Dissertation for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, VA. Retrieved April 24, 2006 from < http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-04252005-155705/unrestricted/mclaurindissertation2005.pdf> Reese-Weber, Marla & Kahn, Jeffrey H. (2005). “Familial Predictors of Sibling and Romatic-Partner Conflict Resolution: Comparing Late Adolescents From Intact and Divorced Families.” Journal of Adolescence. Vol. 28, pp. 479-493. Steinmetz, Suzanne K. (January 1977). “The Use of Force for Resolving Family Conflict: The Training Ground for Abuse.” The Family Coordinator. Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 19-26. Read More