The manifestation of physical and emotional sibling abuse across the lifespan and the need for social work intervention

Abstract

Despite physically and emotionally violent behaviors being the most common form of violence in families, little is known about the manifestation of physical and emotional sibling abuse across the lifespan. Furthermore, given the normalization and dismissal of sibling abuse by many families as well as society, it is likely that social work practitioners do not recognize this form of violence as substantially problematic. This article highlights the prevalence of physical and emotional sibling abuse, the labels and definitions used to discuss deleterious behaviors between siblings, the consequences and associations of experiencing sibling abuse in childhood and adolescence, and how this form of family violence likely manifests in adulthood and older adulthood. Practice implications (micro, mezzo, and macro) are then highlighted to provide ways in which social work practitioners can help children, adolescents, adults and families to intervene and respond to sibling abuse in order to address this form of family violence regardless where in the lifespan one needs assistance.