Sibling Bullying: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Associations with Positive and Negative Mental Health during Adolescence

A cross-sectional study of individual- and poly-bullying victimization and suicidal ideation among Chinese university and high school students: the roles of hopelessness and interpersonal relationships

BACKGROUND

We aim to examine the associations between poly-bullying victimization (i.e., school-, family- and cyber-bullying ever and only) and suicidal ideation (SI) among Chinese university and high school students, and the roles of interpersonal relationships and hopelessness in the interested relationships.

METHODS

We included 17633 participants integrating data from the 2019 mental health survey in university students in Qinghai, China (N = 5700), and the Chinese Database of Youth Health in high school students (N = 11933) in Shandong. We applied multivariate logistic regression models to explore the associations between poly-bullying victimization and SI, by gender and level of schools. Stratification analyses were conducted by levels of hopelessness and interpersonal relationships. The role of hopelessness in the relationships between poly-bullying victimization and SI in university students was evaluated by fitting mediation analyses.

RESULTS

Exposure to specific forms of bullying victimization was positively associated with SI in students from both school levels. Cyberbullying victimization only was not significantly associated with SI in university students, but with significance in both female (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.26-2.30) and male (OR: 2.69, 95% CI: 2.04-3.55) high school students. In university students, the association between school bullying only and SI was greater in female (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.71-3.34) than males (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.85-2.09); the strongest association was exhibited between the co-occurrence of family and school bullying victimization, and SI; a dose-response relationship was observed between number of victimization and SI, particularly among males. Interpersonal relationships did not significantly moderate the relationships between poly-bullying victimization and SI among university students. Hopelessness played significant mediating role in the relationships between Family + School bullying victimization and SI (14.80% mediated) in female university students, and Family + School + Cyberbullying victimization and SI (29.40%) in males.

CONCLUSION

The exploration-oriented study provided an intricate mechanism of gender-specific differences in SI related to poly-bullying victimization. Tailored, gender-sensitive interventions and support systems for adolescents and young adults should be designed and implemented.

The prevalence and correlates of sibling bullying victimisation in early adolescence: An investigation of over 30,000 adolescents in 18 countries

BACKGROUND

Sibling bullying is a common childhood experience. Recent studies have shown that correlates of sibling bullying are proximal and distal. However, a lack of cross-cultural understanding still exists on the prevalence and protective factors of sibling bullying.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the current study was to examine the prevalence of sibling bullying and investigate whether positive environments protect against sibling bullying victimisation in 18 countries.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

We analysed existing data from an international study of over 30,000 adolescents aged 10 and 12 years old, the Children's World Survey.

METHODS

Adolescents reported physical and verbal sibling bullying victimisation experiences and the positive aspects of their home, neighbourhood, and school environments. Regression models were fitted to investigate whether individual- and country-level positive home, neighbourhood, and school environments are associated with sibling bullying victimisation.

RESULTS

On average, the prevalence of sibling bullying victimisation was 28 %; 1 in 4 adolescents were physically hurt or called unkind names more than three times in the last month by a sibling (excluding fighting or play fighting). The prevalence varied by country; ranging from 9 %-59 %. Whilst, on the whole, individual-level positive home, neighbourhood, and school environments were associated with reduced sibling bullying victimisation (odds ratios, 0.68-0.85), these effects differed for each country. Country-level positive environments were not associated with sibling bullying victimisation.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that improving adolescents' home, neighbourhood, and school environments might serve to reduce sibling bullying victimisation.

Sibling bullying victimization and subjective well-being among children across 13 countries: The mediating roles of perceived social support and the moderating role of uncertainty avoidance culture

BACKGROUND

While sibling bullying victimization has been recognized as a significant factor detrimentally impacting children's subjective well-being, the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to investigate the potential mediating role of perceived social support, encompassing support from family, friend, teacher, and neighbor, as well as the moderating influence of uncertainty avoidance culture.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A sample of 19,328 children was obtained from Wave Three of Children's Worlds: International Survey of Children's Well-being in 13 countries.

METHODS

The structural equation model (SEM) was used to investigate the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between sibling bullying victimization and children's subjective well-being. The multiple group analysis was carried out to assess the moderating role of uncertainty avoidance culture.

RESULTS

This study reveals a negative association between sibling bullying victimization and children's subjective well-being (β = -0.138, p < 0.001). Perceived support from family, friend, teacher, and neighbor emerges as a mediating mechanism in this relationship. Uncertainty avoidance culture moderates this relationship, and this association is stronger for children raised in a strong uncertainty avoidance culture (β = -0.085, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study contribute to our comprehension of the nexus between sibling bullying victimization and children's subjective well-being. Moreover, this study extends the current body of knowledge by delving into the cultural disparities spanning various countries.

Children's resilience to sibling victimization: The role of family, peer, school, and neighborhood factors

Although common, little is known about the potential impacts of sibling victimization, and how best to ameliorate these. We explored longitudinal associations between sibling victimization and mental health and wellbeing outcomes, and promotive and risk factors that predicted better or worse outcomes following victimization. Data were from >12,000 participants in the Millennium Cohort Study, a longitudinal UK birth cohort, who reported on sibling victimization at age 11 and/or 14 years. We identified potential risk and promotive factors at family, peer, school, and neighborhood levels from age 14 data. Mental health and wellbeing outcomes (internalizing and externalizing problems, mental wellbeing, self-harm) were collected at age 17. Results suggested that over and above pre-existing individual and family level vulnerabilities, experiencing sibling victimization was associated with significantly worse mental health and wellbeing. Having no close friends was a risk factor for worse-than-expected outcomes following victimization. Higher levels of school motivation and engagement was a promotive factor for better-than-expected outcomes. This indicates that aspects of the school environment may offer both risk and promotive factors for children experiencing sibling victimization at home. We argue that effective sibling victimization interventions should be extended to include a focus on factors at the school level.

Genetic influences on sibling bullying and mental health difficulties

BACKGROUND

Sibling bullying is associated with mental health difficulties; both in the short and long term. It is commonly assumed that sibling bullying leads to mental health difficulties but additional explanations for the relationship between the two are seldom investigated.

METHODS

To address this gap in knowledge, we used a genetically sensitive design with data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (maximum N = 3,959, 53% female). At ages 11-13 years, individuals self-reported their involvement in sibling bullying, as a victim and perpetrator, and parents reported on their child's mental health difficulties. Polygenic scores, indices of genetic risk for psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) were computed using children's genetic data. Regression and structural equation models were fitted to the data.

RESULTS

Sibling bullying, victimisation and perpetration, and polygenic scores both predicted mental health difficulties in an additive manner but there was no interaction between them. Polygenic scores for mental health difficulties were also associated with sibling bullying.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that sibling bullying, victimisation and perpetration, is associated with mental health difficulties, even after accounting for some genetic effects. Additionally, the relationship between sibling bullying and mental health difficulties may be, at least partly, due to shared genetic aetiology. One possibility is that genetic risk for mental health difficulties influences the onset of mental health difficulties which in turn make children more susceptible to sibling bullying.

Sibling bullying reported by emerging adults: Profiling the prevalence, roles, and forms in a cross-country investigation

Prevalence estimates of sibling bullying indicate it occurs more frequently and with more negative consequences than peer bullying, yet many countries do not track or investigate the phenomenon. University students from Argentina, Estonia, and the United States were surveyed to investigate their retrospective experiences involving sibling bullying, how often it occurred, the roles held, and the forms communicated. In the aggregated data, roughly 50 % of the sampled emerging adults (N = 3477) reported experience with sibling bullying, with the dual role of bully-victim being the most frequently reported role held by males and females, with the second role being bully for males and victim for females. Verbal forms of bullying were most frequently reported by males and females, with physical, relational, and technological forms occurring less frequently, indicating the importance of studying the messages conveyed during bullying incidents. Variations between biological sex, bullying role and form were detected that indicate siblings experience bullying in ways that are unique from peer bullying. Country comparisons revealed bullying frequencies varied among males and females, suggesting sibling bullying experiences are likely to be culturally influenced. More research is warranted to examine the negative impact bullying has on sibling psycho-social development and the potential transfer to non-familial relationships and contexts. Discussion of these findings and the implications for academics and practitioners alike is provided.

Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Attachment in Close Relationships in Adulthood

Despite the consequences of physical and emotional sibling violence, which can last into adulthood, research examining this form of family violence is minimal compared to child abuse, interpartner violence, and elder abuse. One area that has received scarce attention is the connection between physical and emotional sibling violence and attachment in close relationships in adulthood. This research study examines the association between physical and emotional sibling violence and adulthood attachment in a sample of 2,458 individuals who completed a survey on the sub-Reddit platform "/r/SampleSize: Where your opinions actually matter!" Participants completed items on demographics, frequency of physical and emotional behaviors experienced with a sibling in childhood, and adult attachment. Results found physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood to be associated with attachment in close relationships in adulthood. Frequency of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood was also associated with comfortability with intimacy and closeness, comfortability of depending and relying on others, and concerns of abandonment and rejection by others in adulthood. The findings underscore the need to not only include physical and emotional sibling violence in future research on attachment but also to examine the connection between these phenomena in diverse samples (ethnicity, sexual orientation). Also highlighted is the need for practitioners to assess sibling relationships when working with children, families, and adults experiencing attachment issues throughout the life course.

Factors affecting sibling bullying and its association with self-esteem and depression in middle school students

Sibling bullying is an unwanted aggressive behavior of a sibling that is associated with peer bullying and emotional problems. However, the prevalence of sibling bullying, the factors that affect this condition, and its impact on depression and self-esteem are understudied, especially in Thailand. This study aims to examine the prevalence of sibling bullying, factors that affect sibling bullying, and its association with self-esteem and depression during the pandemic. From January to February 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted in grades 7-9 (age 12-15 years) who had at least one sibling. Demographic characteristics, sibling bullying, self-esteem, and depression were collected using the revised Olweus bully/victim questionnaire, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Binary logistic regression was analyzed to determine associations between sibling bullying and outcomes. Of 352 participants (30.4% female), 92 (26.1%) were victims and 49 (13.9%) were bullies of sibling bullying in the previous 6 months. Factors associated with an increased risk of being victims included female (OR = 2.46; 95%CI 1.34-4.53), peer victimization (OR = 12.99; 95%CI 5.27-32.04), domestic violence (OR = 4.48; 95%CI 1.68-11.95), and perpetrating sibling bullying (OR = 9.81; 95%CI 4.62-20.81). Factors associated with an increased risk of depression were female (OR = 2.59; 95%CI 1.57-4.26), sibling bullying victimization (OR = 2.08; 95%CI 1.22-3.56), physical abuse (OR = 9.50, 95%CI 1.13-79.71) and domestic violence (OR = 3.44; 95%CI 1.40-8.45).  Conclusion: Sibling bullying was not uncommon in Thai young adolescents and was associated with female, peer bullying, domestic violence, and depression. Such associations should be identified early so preventive measures and management could be properly implemented. What is Known: • Sibling bullying increases the risk for engaging in peer bullying, aggressive behaviors, violence, and emotional difficulties during life course trajectories. • Victims of sibling bullying are at increased risk of depression, anxiety, mental distress, self-harm, and decreased well-being. What is New: • The rate of sibling bullying in Thai middle school students, even during the pandemic, was comparable to previous studies of different cultural backgrounds without the pandemic. • Victims of sibling bullying were associated with female sex, peer victimization, domestic violence, perpetrating sibling bullying, and depression. Perpetrating sibling bullying was also associated with bullies in cyberbullying.

A longitudinal study of sibling bullying and mental health in autistic adolescents: The role of self-esteem

Sibling bullying is associated with poor mental health in autistic adolescents. The reasons for this remain unknown. In the current study, we attempted to replicate the existing findings on the direct associations between sibling bullying and mental health in autistic adolescents and expand knowledge by focusing on the indirect associations through self-esteem. We made use of existing data from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative UK-based birth cohort study. We fitted a mediation model to longitudinal data from a sample of 416 autistic adolescents aged 11, 14, and 17 years old who had at least one sibling. We found that sibling bullying was prevalent in the lives of autistic adolescents, especially in those who were late-diagnosed, had a shared bedroom, and lived in a low-income household. Additionally, increased sibling bullying in early adolescence was a significant predictor of reduced self-esteem in mid-adolescence; in turn, reduced self-esteem predicted poorer mental health and wellbeing in late adolescence. Our findings indicate that sibling bullying in early adolescence may indirectly lead to poorer mental health and wellbeing in late adolescence through a reduction in self-esteem in mid-adolescence in autistic adolescents. We discuss the implications of these findings further.

Antecedents of sibling aggression and bullying victimization: The parallel and serial contributions of depressive symptoms and substance use

PURPOSE

Sibling aggression has received attention as a common form of family violence. However, further research is needed to elucidate several antecedents of sibling aggression perpetration and bullying victimization, such as substance use and depressive symptoms. Additionally, more studies are needed to identify the mediating paths of depressive symptoms and substance use, which could explain the association between bullying victimization and sibling aggression perpetration on the one hand and the association between sibling aggression victimization and bullying victimization on the other hand, while controlling for exposure to family violence and demographic variables. The current study tested two separate mediational models guided by the displaced aggression theory and self-medication hypothesis.

METHOD

The present study used the Bullying, Sexual, and Dating Violence Trajectories From Early to Late Adolescence in the Midwestern United States, 2007-2013 dataset. The original sample consisted of 1162 middle school students who were initially surveyed and followed into three high schools. For the current study, the first wave was used, which included a sample of 1101 adolescents. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to first examine whether bullying victimization was associated with sibling aggression perpetration. Then another model was conducted to test whether sibling aggression victimization was associated with bullying victimization.

RESULTS

In the first model, results suggest bullying victimization is positively associated with sibling aggression. Mediation results indicated depressive symptoms and substance use serially mediated the relation between bullying victimization and sibling aggression. In the second model, results suggest that sibling aggression victimization is positively associated with bullying victimization. Parallel mediation results indicated that depressive symptoms alone and not substance use individually explained the association between sibling aggression victimization and bullying victimization. Finally, serial mediation results indicated that depressive symptoms and substance use serially mediate the association between sibling aggression victimization and bullying victimization.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include self-report measures and cross-sectional design; therefore, we could not estimate casual relationships.

CONCLUSION

The implications of these findings suggest the need for continued attention to school-based bully prevention efforts and family relations interventions. Such efforts might be associated with reductions in bullying victimization and sibling aggression.

The Associations between Sibling Victimization, Sibling Bullying, Parental Acceptance-Rejection, and School Bullying

Bullying has been identified as the most common form of aggression experienced by school-age youth. However, it is still unclear about the family's influence on school bullying. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the associations between sibling bullying and school bullying, sibling victimization and school victimization, and parental acceptance-rejection and school bullying victimization. The study was cross-sectional and conducted on a sample of students aged between 11 and 20 years recruited from middle schools in Algeria. The study used a survey adopted from the scale of Sibling Bullying, Student Survey of Bullying Behavior-Revised 2, and the Survey of parental acceptance-rejection in collecting the data. The model's results assessing the association between sibling bullying and school bullying demonstrated that the effect of sibling physical and sibling verbal victims on school victimization was statistically significant. Despite the non-significant effect of sibling emotional victims on school victimization, the effect of sibling physical and sibling verbal bullying on school bullying was statistically significant. However, the effect of sibling emotional bullying on school bullying was not statistically significant. The direct effect of parental acceptance on school victimization was not statistically significant, whereas the effect of parental rejection on school victimization was statistically significant. The direct effect of parental acceptance on school bullying was not statistically significant, while the effect of parental rejection on school bullying was statistically significant. Based on the results, this study provides insights into the understanding of how the family and siblings contribute to school bullying. In particular, sibling victimization, sibling bullying, and parental acceptance-rejection are predictive factors of school bullying among adolescents. Future research should take into account factors based on family to explore the risks of school bullying.

The Mediating Role of School and Sibling Bullying in the Relationship between Subjective Well-Being and Mental Health Symptoms

Recently, empirical studies have indicated an association between well-being and mental health. The nature of this association remains unclear since some studies suggest it is weak, whilst others indicate it is strong. The present study seeks to contribute to this dialogue by modelling not only the relationship between well-being and internalising and externalising mental health symptoms but also by introducing a mediation model where school and sibling bullying, as risk factors, are acting as mediators. A national sample of 1244 youth (Mage = 12.47, SD = 1.69) from the Understanding Society household panel study in the UK was utilised to estimate the structural equation model. The findings showed that the direct effect of well-being on internalising symptoms was negative and strong, whereas it was negative and moderate on externalising symptoms. Furthermore, the pattern of indirect effects from subjective well-being to internalising and externalising mental health symptoms displayed some differences in the level of statistical significance and strength. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.