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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study by Reid and Donovan was to present a problem-solving, task-centered model for treating sibling violence.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors provided a theoretical explanation for sibling violence. An outline of an intervention model aimed at treating sibling violence was also provided, followed by a non-experimental evaluation of a case study to illustrate the family treatment intervention model.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The authors argued that there were three types of family functioning that affect levels of aggression in sibling relationships. These were "here and now" aspects of family interrelating and included parental relating, parent to child relating, and sibling relating. The authors argued that they chose these types of family functioning because they were the most amenable to change.
The authors hypothesized regarding sibling violence. They stated that parental disagreement about their children's disputes potentially leads to a rejection of parental authority by the children, as well as serves as a model for the children to imitate. The authors also contended that if parent-child relations typified favoritism or cross-generational coalitions, then punitive styles of parenting could lead to increased aggression between siblings. It was also argued that sibling disputes often erupt because of realistic family issues (e.g., the sharing of actual resources and household chores).
The authors contended that sibling violence occurred because of poor family rule structure. It was argued that most well functioning families developed a set of rules governing interactions within and between family subsystems. Parental disunity and their lack of skills in handling sibling conflict, and children's lack of skills in settling their own disputes, were said to be related to poor family rule structure.
The authors developed an intervention model to assist families in the development of rules to prevent sibling aggression. The authors stated that the model incorporates task-centered methods of family treatment such as problem-solving, behavioral techniques and family-structural approaches. The authors stated that the model was developed as a part of the Task-Centered Family Treatment Project at the School of Social Welfare, the State University of New York at Albany (Reid, 1987, as cited by the authors).
The authors outlined the intervention procedure. The assessment phase consisted of one to two sessions in which family patterns of communicating, problematic sibling interaction, and family resources for settling disputes should be examined. Parent and siblings should be seen together and separately. The practitioner should discuss his perspective on rules and family structure, and the family should give their input. The authors reported that treatment goals should be mutually agreed upon, and changes made should reflect what's needed to reduce and prevent sibling violence. The authors stated that, firstly, the parental dyad should be seen alone to develop rules of cooperation between them. Parental alliance was considered essential for the development of family rules designed to ameliorate sibling aggression. The authors reported that rules should be designed to accommodate ways of disciplining children, ways of settling sibling disputes, and rules for parent-child relating. The authors argued that rules that prevent the escalation of sibling violence (e.g., parental alignment with each other rather than an alignment with one sibling), were of particular importance. It was suggested that practitioners facilitate problem solving efforts by parents. This included helping them to stay problem focused, to foster alternative solutions to problems, and to examine potential barriers to achieving these. Tasks should be designed to be used at home. In follow up sessions, these tasks should be reviewed.
The authors reported that in stage two of the treatment parents and children should be seen together. This stage should involve both parents and siblings working together with the objective of developing effective rules for facilitating structural changes agreed upon by the family. Key rules to be implemented by siblings should involve rules for avoiding or controlling their disputes.
Tasks aimed at correcting cross-generational alignments between parent and child and the other parent, should be set at this time also. The authors provided the example of asking the father to problem solve with his son, if normally he aligns with his daughter. The authors stated that the family should be encouraged to exercise the problem-solving skills they had learned in the sessions at home.
The authors presented a single case study as an illustration of the model. The authors provided an evaluation of the application of the model to this case example. They reported that standardized instruments, taped reviews of case goals developed by the family, completed questionnaires, and a follow-up interview conducted by the practitioner were used in the evaluation procedure. The authors found that positive change ratings made by two independent judges, and the family, had occurred. An interrater reliability of r=.85 between the judges was deemed satisfactory by the authors. The authors reported that the results of the evaluation revealed that there had been a reduction in the level of violence in the case study family. This included a complete cessation of physical fighting between the siblings up until at least four months after treatment. The authors reported that parent scores on the Index of Family Relations instrument revealed a significant improvement of 26% in the perceived problematic aspects of the parents' life. The authors found that scores of the boys involved in the study did not change during treatment. It was reported that the oldest boy's scale score had worsened by 18%. A questionnaire completed by the entire family at the end of treatment revealed that the family believed that their main problem had been alleviated because of the treatment. However, an evaluation of other problems resulted in mixed results (e.g., the mothers depression had reduced, however, there was little change in the parents' sexual problems). The authors reported that, overall, sibling and parental aggression was successfully reduced as a result of the intervention.
The authors argued that variations of the model could be utilized if necessary. For example, if sibling aggression was not the primary problem, specific components of the model could be used according to case needs.
The authors concluded that sibling violence was a pervasive family problem, yet it was often neglected by professionals. The authors hoped that their paper would help stimulate further research on sibling violence and aggression.
(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)
Domestic Violence Offender
Juvenile Violence
Juvenile Offender
Sibling Violence Offender
Domestic Violence Treatment
Domestic Violence Intervention
Domestic Violence Causes
Sibling Violence Causes
Family Relations
Family Functioning
Sibling Violence Treatment
Offender Treatment
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