Parental Intervention and Sibling Violence: The Mediating Effect of Siblings’ Conflict Management

• In Event: Childhood Violence and Future Victimization

Abstract

Minors are more likely to be victimized in their sibling relationship than in any other personal relationship. When children experience sibling violence, an intervention from parents is often required in order to prevent more harm. Parental intervention can either reinforce sibling violence or help put an end to it, depending on the intervention style parents use. One of the factors that may underlie this process is the development of conflict management skills. Depending on the parental intervention style, children either learn to manage conflicts constructively and independently or (continue to) engage in destructive behavior. When destructive conflict management strategies are used, sibling conflict may eventually escalate into sibling violence. The presented paper examines to what extent siblings’ conflict management mediates the association between parental intervention and sibling violence. Adolescents in Flanders (Belgium) reported on the parental intervention style their parents use, their involvement in physical sibling violence and the conflict management strategies they use when having a conflict with their sibling. Hierarchical logistic regressions partially confirm the mediating role of siblings’ conflict management. The results indicate the need to support parents to create a family environment where conflicts are managed constructively.

Authors

• Eva Van Kelecom, Leuven Institute of Criminology (KU Leuven)

• Patricia Bijttebier, School of Psychology and Development in Context (KU Leuven)

• Stefaan Pleysier, Leuven Institute of Criminology (KU Leuven)

• Johan Put, Leuven Institute of Criminology & Institute for Social Law (KU Leuven)