Our Research
At SAARA, we publish a series of informational "SAARA Bulletins," create printable handouts and tip sheets, and contribute to scholarly research on sibling dynamics. We also have a blog, "The Science of Siblings," on Psychology Today, where we regularly post about sibling rivalry and conflict, sibling aggression and abuse, and promoting positive sibling relationships.
All Publications
April 3, 2025
This critical review article explores the distinctions between sibling rivalry, conflict, aggression, and abuse, challenging traditional perceptions and emphasizing the need for more precise terminology in understanding family violence. We offer recommendations for responding to each type of sibling dynamic.
January 3, 2025
Finding a therapist who is knowledgeable of sibling dynamics can be a bit overwhelming. With all the different types of treatments and therapists out there, how do you know what you really need and where to start? How can you find someone who will take your experience with harmful sibling dynamics or sibling abuse seriously?
November 7, 2024
This handout provides professional resources and suggested questions to use when screening children and adults for sibling aggression and abuse in a clinical or therapeutic setting.
August 5, 2024
The next step in bullying prevention is the dissemination of information on sibling aggression and its impacts. Sibling aggression is not harmless and should be taken as seriously as its peer equivalents. Adapting peer bullying education efforts to include information about sibling aggression will promote children’s and adolescents’ well-being and increase safety at school and home.
August 2, 2024
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) screenings for children, parents, and adults should be broadened to include sibling aggression and abuse (SAA) experiences. Positive screenings for SAA necessitate training for practitioners and professionals on SAA and the continued development of evidence-based interventions aimed at preventing and healing from SAA.
July 29, 2024
The goal of this bulletin is to define sibling sexual abuse (SSA) and provide guidance for parents and professionals on how to respond. Professionals responding to sibling sexual behavior may find their training on child sexual abuse and maltreatment to be helpful; however, keep in mind that there are unique dynamics in sibling relationships that are important to consider.
June 26, 2024
This handout includes ten practical tips for parents and caregivers to promote positive sibling relationships. Available in English and Spanish.
January 26, 2024
Given the prevalence and impacts of sibling aggression, parenting education is needed. Yet evidence-based parent education programs generally do not address it. This represents an opportunity for parenting education. We propose how such information could be infused into parent education programming.
January 1, 2024
Sibling abuse can be just as harmful as parental child maltreatment, leaving injuries and mental distress, yet there are no consistent statutory policies for responding to it.
November 30, 2023
Encyclopedia entry about sibling abuse and bullying in Family Violence and Abuse: An Encyclopedia of Trends, Issues, and Solutions.
October 26, 2023
This bulletin reviews variation in sibling aggression rates and perceptions across race and ethnicity, gender, social class, ability, and sexual identity to help make researchers and practitioners aware of potential sources of difference in how sibling aggression is experienced.
October 24, 2023
During conflict and play, aggressive behaviors like biting, pushing, making threats, or using intimidation, are common and often considered normal between siblings. This bulletin provides guidance on identifying when sibling behavior has crossed the line.
July 19, 2023
We examine how patterns of sibling victimization (Persist, New Onset, Desist, and None) are associated with mental health in childhood and adolescence. Preventing and stopping sibling victimization could reduce physical injuries and mental health despair in childhood and adolescence.
May 6, 2023
SAARA Bulletin #3. The goal of this bulletin is to provide guidance for parents and professionals on preventing and responding to sibling aggression and abuse and improving sibling relationships.
April 22, 2023
When children are young, parents can play an important role in managing sibling conflict while helping their children gain social and cognitive abilities. By using the mediation technique explained in this bulletin, parents help children become better able to resolve conflicts with their brothers and sisters.
April 8, 2023
Unfortunately, aggression, and even abuse, among siblings are often minimized and confused with rivalry. Knowing the difference is important. While sibling rivalry can be a constructive and healthy part of growing up, sibling aggression and abuse are harmful and require intervention.
January 28, 2023
We compared the frequency of fearfulness for sibling versus peer victimization experiences (severe and minor physical, property, and psychological) in childhood and adolescence.
September 9, 2021
Clinical work and parent education programs should address the occurrence of exposure to parent assault on a sibling (EPAS) and the adverse association between EPAS and mental health to reduce its potential negative impact.
June 22, 2020
Identification of family and friend social support as protective factors may help clinicians and intervention work in reducing the detrimental effects of sibling victimization on well-being.
January 13, 2020
Encyclopedia entry about sibling victimization in the Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development.
