Patterns of Sibling Victimization as Predictors of Peer Victimization in Childhood and Adolescence

摘要

We document four patterns of sibling victimization (Persist, New, Desist, and None) across two time points and their association with peer victimization at time two and whether these linkages are apparent in early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence. A telephone survey (N = 1653) was conducted with a nationally representative sample of U.S. parents with children (age 3-9) and adolescents (age 10 to 17). The four patterns differed by age, gender, ethnicity and parent education levels but not family structure. The Persist, New and Desist sibling victimization patterns were associated with a greater likelihood of peer victimization. Sibling victimization patterns were unrelated to peer victimization in early childhood but predictive of peer victimization in middle childhood and adolescence. Findings showed that sibling victimization leaves children and adolescents vulnerable to peer victimization. Children and adolescents who experienced chronic sibling victimization (Persist group) were particularly vulnerable to peer victimization. Eliminating sibling victimization could reduce peer victimization in middle childhood and adolescence.