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Proactive and Reactive Aggression Towards Siblings Versus Peers

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Abstract

Research on sibling aggression remains limited despite growing evidence that aggression towards siblings is associated with negative adjustment outcomes. The current study advances the field by examining proactive and reactive aggression toward siblings in middle childhood. Specifically, this study utilized youth self-reports to 1) evaluate the 6-month stability of sibling proactive and reactive aggression, 2) compare rates of sibling aggression to peer aggression, and 3) evaluate links between sibling proactive and reactive aggression and internalizing symptoms (depression and anxiety). Findings indicated stability in both sibling proactive and reactive aggression, and rates of sibling aggression were higher than rates of peer aggression at both time points. Further, as anticipated, both sibling and peer reactive, but not proactive, aggression were uniquely positively associated with internalizing symptoms. Results suggest that sibling proactive and reactive aggression can be reliably assessed and are associated with expected outcomes, but peer aggression demonstrated stronger clinical utility than sibling aggression. Future directions are discussed.

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Funding

This study was supported by funds awarded to the first author by the University of Kansas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Ave, Rm 2012, Lawrence, KS, 66049, USA

    Paula J. Fite, Chloe O’Dell, Rachel L. Doyle & Elizabeth C. Tampke

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  1. Paula J. Fite
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  2. Chloe O’Dell
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  3. Rachel L. Doyle
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  4. Elizabeth C. Tampke
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Correspondence to Paula J. Fite.

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Paula J. Fite, Chloe O’Dell, Rachel L. Doyle, Elizabeth C. Tampke report no conflicts of interest.

Experiment Participants

This study included human subject participants. The current study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards for human subjects research.

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All procedures were approved by the Institutional Review board.

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Parents provided written consent for youth to participate.

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Fite, P.J., O’Dell, C., Doyle, R.L. et al. Proactive and Reactive Aggression Towards Siblings Versus Peers. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 43, 12–20 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-020-09849-w

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