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Integrated Theoretical Model of Sibling Violence and Abuse

NCJ Number
206888
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2004 Pages: 185-200
Author(s)
Kristi L. Hoffman; John N. Edwards
Date Published
June 2004
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Drawing on three theoretical perspectives (feminist, conflict, and social learning), this article proposes an integrated analytical model of adolescent sibling violence and abuse.
Abstract
Feminist theory is used to demonstrate how the patriarchal structural arrangements within society and families influence sibling relationships. Conflict theory explains why siblings have divergent interests and why the pursuit of these interests may escalate into aggression and abuse. To better understand the patterns of micro-level interactions that create a social milieu within individual families that encourage the use of physical force and psychological abuse by siblings, social learning theory is incorporated into the model. The major components of the proposed theoretical model for sibling violence and abuse are characteristics of the parents' relationship, characteristics of the parent-child relationship, characteristics of the sibling relationship, individual attitudes and characteristics, sibling verbal conflict, and the dependent variables of physical violence and psychological abuse. Characteristics of the parent-child relationship that may contribute to sibling violence and abuse are emotional closeness and positive affect, favoritism, parenting techniques (physical punishment and intervention strategies), rejection and neglect, and parental violence and abuse. Characteristics of the sibling relationship that can contribute to sibling violence and abuse are the division of labor and sharing of family property and caretaking responsibilities. Individual attitudes and characteristics that can foster sibling violence and abuse are psychological distress and patriarchal attitudes and approval of violence. The model assumes the interdependence of several types of negative interaction among parents and children, as well as between spouses and siblings. In accordance with conflict theory, siblings, like other family members, are forced to share valued resources and participate in a division of labor. This may result in differing interests and lead to verbal conflict, violence, and abuse. As for feminist theory, traditional gender roles and patriarchal beliefs, as well as attitudes that support the use of violence to resolve conflict, are also predicted to increase negative interactions. 1 table, 1 figure, and 173 references