Publications
October 28, 2025
SAARA provides a classification of sibling dynamics with definitions of rivalry, constructive conflict, destructive conflict, and abuse, as well as practice recommendations to address each type of sibling dynamic to promote positive sibling relationships
September 29, 2025
SAARA Bulletin #11. In this bulletin, a five-step model is described to guide school mental health professionals on identifying and responding to sibling abuse.
August 6, 2025
This open-access publication makes the case that sibling aggression and abuse are overlooked public health problems, and calls for greater awareness, practitioner training, and inclusion of these experiences in trauma assessments such as ACE inventories.
July 31, 2025
This study investigates how youth care professionals in social and judicial services address physical and psychological sibling violence, what challenges they encounter while trying to address it, and their thoughts on needed changes to practice and policy to reduce sibling violence.
May 9, 2025
SAARA Bulletin #10. This bulletin aims to help professionals and practitioners identify factors that indicate when it is unsafe for siblings to live together due to physical or psychological abuse, severe aggression, or harmful sexual behaviors.
May 7, 2025
This handout includes ten practical tips to help K-12 personnel identify and respond to sibling aggression and abuse experienced by their students.
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
SAARA Bulletin #9. The next step in bullying prevention is the dissemination of information on sibling aggression and its impacts. 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
SAARA Bulletin #8. 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
SAARA Bulletin #7. 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
SAARA Bulletin #6. 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
SAARA Bulletin #5. 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
SAARA Bulletin #4. 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.
