Domestic Violence Can Lead to Sibling Aggression and Abuse |
I thought hitting the people you love was completely normal.—Testimonial submitted to the SAARA Story Archive
Exposure to Domestic Violence Linked to Harmful Sibling Dynamics
Domestic violence is a serious and prevalent public health concern that millions of U.S. children are exposed to every year. Children exposed to domestic violence are at increased risk of child maltreatment, mental and physical health problems, and academic difficulties. They are also more likely to experience sibling aggression or abuse.
Patterns in family interaction, such as those in domestically violent homes, are especially influential on development in childhood and adolescence. Negative dynamics between adults in these households provide influential models of ineffective relationship skills and aggressive behavior that children repeat in their relationships with others.
The sibling relationship is one of the first contexts in which children practice relationship and conflict management skills. Children’s behavior toward........