|
Abstract
|
The purpose of the present study was to explore the frequently observed dynamics distinctive to the sibling incest family system, and to evaluate how these dynamics might predispose the family system to act out its dysfunction through sibling sexual conduct. Being a descriptive study by nature, the data is based on 25 families which were reported to the Boulder County (Colorado) Sexual Abuse Team between May 1982 and December 1985. The 25 families yielded a significant pattern of common dynamics. Those dynamics which were repeatedly observed throughout these cases were: distant, inaccessible parents; parental stimulation of sexual climate in the home; and family secrets, especially with regard to extramarital affairs. The implications of the findings suggest that the patterns that are emerging are becoming more predictable, making prognosis and therapeutic intervention far more encouraging.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The major aim of this study by Smith and Israel was to examine the family dynamics associated with sibling incest and to investigate the function of these dynamics in the onset of sibling incest behavior.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors conducted a primary analysis of quasi-experimental cross-sectional data collected from 25 families seeking treatment with the Boulder County (Colorado) Department of Social Services Sexual Abuse Team. Data collection took place from May 1982 to December 1985. The participants were residents of Boulder County who had been investigated by the Department of Social Services for sexual abuse. Allegations that sexual abuse had occurred in these families was substantiated. Family cases were assigned to interviewers (the authors) at random and assessed over the 3.5 year period.
Ages of sibling incest perpetrators ranged from 9-20 years (mean=13.2 years). Victims' ages ranged from 3-13 years (mean=9.1 years). 80% of perpetrators were male and 20% were female. 32% of the sibling perpetrators had abused a same sex sibling. 89% of the victims were female and 11% were male. Multiple victimization by one perpetrator had occurred in 8% of the cases. Types of sexual abuse included fondling or oral/genital contact (72%), or sexual intercourse (28%). 76% of the families were two parent families, 56% were step-families, and 24% were one parent families. Most families were Caucasian. One family was Spanish-American. The mean age of the parents was 34.6 years. Most families were described as lower or middle class citizens except for two described as upper class. No comparison group was used. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the data.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The authors found that three distinctive dynamics were characteristic of sibling incest families. These included 1) distant inaccessible parents, 2) parental stimulation of the sexual climate in the home, and 3) family secrets and extra- marital affairs.
The first dynamic, "distant inaccessible parents," was categorized into: a) physical distance (e.g., physically unavailable fathers), in which 12% of the fathers were deceased, 16% were divorced and kept no family contact, and 8% were reported to have deserted their families shortly after their children were born. 16% of mothers had abandoned their families, 8% were divorced and maintained no family contact, and none were deceased; b) physical and emotional distance, in which 28% of the fathers were reported to have become emotionally distant as a result of extended physical distance, and of the mothers in these families, 20% were periodically absent from the home and experienced substance abuse, suffered mental illness or repeatedly fell pregnant; and c) a physically present, but emotionally distant subcategory, in which 24% of the fathers reported that they were unable to bond with their children, that they felt emotionally abandoned by their wives and were emotionally distant from their children and reported similar reasons, to those reported by the fathers, for their distance.
The second dynamic, "parental stimulation of the sexual climate in the home," referred to the sexual environment of the home. The authors reported that 48% of the sibling incest perpetrators had observed some form of sexual behavior between both parents or one parent and another partner. These activities ranged from fondling to intercourse. 52% of perpetrators reported that they had been victims of intra-familial or extra-familial sexual abuse (32% of cases involved preceding incidents of father-daughter incest). 40% of mothers were reported to have expressed seductive sexual messages towards their male children. Alternatively, 32% were reported to have been puritanical and rigid about sexual issues.
The third dynamic, "family secrets and extramarital affairs," referred to the incidence of extramarital affairs in these families. The authors reported that in 72% of sibling incest families, mothers or fathers had experienced childhood sexual abuse. In 76% of sibling incest families, extramarital affairs had occurred.
In conclusion, the authors stated that emotional and physical absence act to increase dependency and sexual interest between brothers and sisters. The authors also contended that parental stimulation of the sexual environment in the home was a significant characteristic of families where sibling incest occurs. In these families attitudes towards sex were either extremely liberal, or alternatively, expressed attitudes were repressed. Finally, a high incidence of extramarital affairs in sibling incest families was evident. The authors argued that the incidence of extramarital affairs exhibited in these families enhanced the aforementioned family dynamics. Extramarital affairs were described as a pervasive family secret that indicated the potential for sibling incest onset.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors recommended that in order to better assess and treat sibling incest, clinicians needed to distinguish between family dynamics characteristic of sibling incest and other forms of incest.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
1980s
Colorado
Sibling Violence Causes
Sibling Violence Offender
Sibling Violence Victim
Sibling Incest
Sexual Assault Causes
Sexual Assault Offender
Sexual Assault Victim
Domestic Violence Causes
Domestic Violence Offender
Domestic Violence Victim
Case Studies
Juvenile Offender
Juvenile Victim
Juvenile Violence
Child Victim
Child Offender
Child Violence
Adult Offender
Adult Violence
Child Abuse Offender
Child Abuse Victim
Child Abuse Causes
Child Sexual Abuse Causes
Child Sexual Abuse Offender
Child Sexual Abuse Victim
Incest Causes
Incest Victim
Incest Offender
Family Environment
Family Relations
Parent Child Relations
Language: en |