Exploring sibling aggression
Graduation Date
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Psychology: Counseling, 2015
Committee Chair Name
Chris Aberson
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Sibling aggression, Sibling conflict, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Psychology, Sibling rivalry, Scale of negative family interactions
Abstract
Despite sibling aggression being widely accepted in society, it is the most common form of interfamilial abuse. Research has shown that physical aggression between siblings is positively correlated with negative effects on children. This study focuses on exploring sibling aggression and the differences between genders. 350 participants aged 18 to 35 filled out the Scale of Negative Family Interactions to assess retrospective sibling aggression experiences. This study found more than 99% of participants had a sibling aggression score higher than one. Hypothesis 1 stated that males would have higher total sibling aggression scores than females. Males (M = 37.30, SD = 28.82) and females (M = 37.99, SD = 28.62) did not differ significantly on total sibling aggression scores. Hypothesis 2 stated that siblings with three or less years of age between them will report more sibling aggression than farther age-spaced siblings. Support was found for this hypothesis, p .001, d = 0.50. Hypothesis 3 stated participants would report aggression occurring most frequently with siblings of the same gender. No significant relationship was found between participant gender and sibling gender, p = .59, Cramer's V = .03. Hypothesis 4 stated that sibling aggression would be reported as occurring most often in childhood (before age 11). Not enough evidence was found to support this hypothesis.
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, Kaylyn, "Exploring sibling aggression" (2015). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 863.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/863
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/44558g881