Sibling Proactive and Reactive Aggression in Adolescence

• NCJ Number: 245449
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Dated: April 2013 Pages: 299-310
• Author(s): Corinna Jenkins Tucker; Genevieve Cox; Erin H. Sharp; Karen T. Van Gundy; Cesar Rebellon; Nena F. Stracuzzi
• Date Published: April 2013
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The authors describe sibling proactive and reactive aggression in middle and late adolescence.

Abstract

The authors describe sibling proactive and reactive aggression in middle and late adolescence. Participants were 8th (n=303, M age=13.74 years, SD=.59) and 12th (n=300, M age=17.73 years, SD=.56) grade adolescents who completed an in-school survey. Findings revealed that these adolescents were significantly more likely to engage in reactive than proactive aggression with their closest-aged sibling. However, 8th grade adolescents reported greater aggression toward their closest-aged sibling than did 12th grade adolescents. In addition, sex composition of the sibling dyad moderated the association between sibling relationship quality (i.e., warmth and rivalry) and both proactive and reactive aggression indicating unique links for brother-brother and older sister-younger brother pairs. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.