Children Witnessing Sibling Abuse Are Prone To Mental Health Issues, Study Finds

Spread the love

Mental Health News: University of New Hampshire Study finds children who witness the abuse of a brother or sister by a parent can be just as traumatized as those witnessing violence by a parent against another parent.

Researchers collected and analysed data from three national surveys involving experiences of over 7000 children between the ages of one month to 17 years old. Experiences included any incident in which a child saw a parent hit, beat, kick or physically hurt (not including spanking) a brother or sister in their household over the course of their lifetime.

Most of the youth who had been exposed to parental abuse against a sibling, witnessed abuse by fathers (70%) more than mothers. Exposure was greatest for boys and adolescents and for those whose parents had some, but not completed, college education. Witnessing sibling abuse was lowest in families with two biological or adoptive parents. Rates did not differ by race or ethnicity. Youth exposed to parental abuse against a sibling showed higher levels of mental health issues like anger, anxiety and depression.

“As more family members are exposed to violence in the household, there can be less emotional security among family members and less opportunities for children to observe, learn and practice healthy responses to stress,” said Corinna Tucker, professor of human development and family studies.

The study results may help play an important role in understanding the mental health effects of exposure to parental abuse against siblings in young adults. The findings have implications for practical and clinical applications like lending support to children witnessing sibling abuse and siblings facing abuse, parental education and encouragement.

To Know More You May Refer To:

Tucker, C. J., Finkelhor, D., & Turner, H. (2021). Exposure to parent assault on a sibling as a childhood adversity. Child Abuse & Neglect, 122, 105310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105310


Spread the love

Leave a Reply

  • Visual Food Cues Affect Our Food Choices: Study Finds

    Visual Food Cues Affect Our Food Choices: Study Finds

    Research explored how visual food cues influence our eating behavior.

  • Victims Of Workplace Bullying Are Highly Likely To Believe In Conspiracy Theories: Study

    Victims Of Workplace Bullying Are Highly Likely To Believe In Conspiracy Theories: Study

    Research explores the link between workplace bullying and conspiracy theories.

  • Does Talking To Strangers Benefit Your Mental Health? Experts Opine.

    Does Talking To Strangers Benefit Your Mental Health? Experts Opine.

    Experts opine on the mental health benefits of talking to…

  • Does Tart Cherry Juice Help With Memory? Study Finds

    Does Tart Cherry Juice Help With Memory? Study Finds

    Research confirms the mental health benefits of tart cherry juice.

  • Can Talking To Strangers Help With Depression?

    Can Talking To Strangers Help With Depression?

    Research delves into the mental health benefits of talking to…

  • Partying With A Purpose: Are There Mental Health Benefits Of Celebrations?

    Partying With A Purpose: Are There Mental Health Benefits Of Celebrations?

    Research confirms the mental health benefits of celebrations.

  • False Memories: Why Do Psychopaths Forget Negative Events?

    False Memories: Why Do Psychopaths Forget Negative Events?

    Research provides insights into false memory formation in psychopaths.

  • Parents’ Political Ideology Impacts How Their Children Punish Others: Study

    Parents’ Political Ideology Impacts How Their Children Punish Others: Study

    Research explores how political ideologies and group perceptions get transmitted…

  • Research Reveals How Stress Affects Romantic Relationships

    Research Reveals How Stress Affects Romantic Relationships

    Research delves into the negative impact of stress on our…

  • Cooking Therapy: Why Is Cooking Good For Mental Health?

    Cooking Therapy: Why Is Cooking Good For Mental Health?

    Research reveals the therapeutic effect of cooking and the mental…

  • Parenting Stress Linked To Attachment Insecurity In Young Adults: Study

    Parenting Stress Linked To Attachment Insecurity In Young Adults: Study

    Research explores the link between parenting stress and attachment insecurity.

  • Can Fewer Working Hours Boost Your Life Satisfaction? Study Finds

    Can Fewer Working Hours Boost Your Life Satisfaction? Study Finds

    Research delves into the benefits of fewer working hours.

  • Youth Who Think They Are More Attractive Are Likely To Engage In Offending Behavior: Study Finds

    Youth Who Think They Are More Attractive Are Likely To Engage In Offending Behavior: Study Finds

    Research explains the link between self-perceptions of attractiveness and offending…

  • Believing In No Sense Of Control On Future Boosts Self-Esteem For Introverts: Study

    Believing In No Sense Of Control On Future Boosts Self-Esteem For Introverts: Study

    Research delves into the link between anticipatory stress and self-esteem…

  • Can Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Help Treat Anxiety Disorders? Study Finds

    Can Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Help Treat Anxiety Disorders? Study Finds

    Research delves into the benefits of mindfulness-based stress reduction training…

  • Do Men Do Less Housework? Science Thinks So!

    Do Men Do Less Housework? Science Thinks So!

    Research provides interesting insights into the gender inequality in the…

  • Can Quitting Alcohol Improve Your Cognition? Study Reveals

    Can Quitting Alcohol Improve Your Cognition? Study Reveals

    Research delves into the benefits of quitting alcohol.

  • Acts Of Kindness Can Cure Depression And Anxiety: Study Finds

    Acts Of Kindness Can Cure Depression And Anxiety: Study Finds

    Research delves into the mental health benefits of kindness.

  • Why Is Skipping Meals Bad For Mental Health? Experts Speak

    Why Is Skipping Meals Bad For Mental Health? Experts Speak

    Experts explain how skipping meals affects mental health.

  • Feeling Loved As A Teen Leads To Better Mental Health In Adulthood: Study Finds

    Feeling Loved As A Teen Leads To Better Mental Health In Adulthood: Study Finds

    Research delves into the mental health benefits of a positive…

  • Academic Streaming Leads To Poor Mental Health In Children: Study Finds

    Academic Streaming Leads To Poor Mental Health In Children: Study Finds

    Research delves into the ill impact of academic streaming.

  • Early Retirement Accelerates Cognitive Decline: Research Claims

    Early Retirement Accelerates Cognitive Decline: Research Claims

    Research delves into the negative mental health benefits of early…

  • Relationships With Narcissists Can Trigger PTSD: Study Finds

    Relationships With Narcissists Can Trigger PTSD: Study Finds

    Research delves into the link betwen narcissism and PTSD in…

  • How Do TikTok and Other Social Media Sites Promote Depression As A Marketing Tool?

    How Do TikTok and Other Social Media Sites Promote Depression As A Marketing Tool?

    Experts delve into how social media sites use mental illness…

  • Females Have Greater Cognitive Empathy Than Males: Study Finds

    Females Have Greater Cognitive Empathy Than Males: Study Finds

    Research delved into the gendered nature of cognitive empathy.

  • Science Answers The Age-old Question: “Why Do People Like Villains?”

    Science Answers The Age-old Question: “Why Do People Like Villains?”

    Researchers explored the psychology behind approaching villains in pop-culture.

  • Celebrations Can Benefit Your Mental Health: Study Finds

    Celebrations Can Benefit Your Mental Health: Study Finds

    Research delves into the mental health benefits of celebrations.