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Mental health counselors are becoming more aware of sibling abuse in all of its forms. The literature addressing the nature of sibling abuse is increasing; however, there is little written about methods of treatment. Family systems theory as a framework for understanding the common family dynamics observed in families where there is sibling abuse is discussed. Lastly this paper presents a case example using family systems theory as a framework for conceptualizing and developing treatment.
For many decades, mental health practitioners have been aware of the pervasive problem of child abuse. However, mental health professionals are only now beginning to become aware of other types of abuse within the family. One such type of abuse that is receiving increased attention is sibling abuse. Sibling abuse refers to emotional, physical, and sexual violence within a sibling dyad. It is ironic that this type of abuse has received little attention, given that it is now becoming increasingly recognized as the most common form of family domestic violence (Cole, 1990; Finkelhor, 1980; Gelles & Cornell, 1985; Gelles & Straus, 1988; Steinmetz, 1977; Straus, 1980; Straus, Gelles, & Steinmetz, 1980). What little attention has been paid to sibling abuse in the counseling literature (Ascherman & Safier, 1990; DeJong, 1989; Finkelhor, 1986a; Smith & Israel, 1987) has generally focused on the dynamics between the perpetrator and victim rather than family or systemic dynamics (Wiehe, 1991). The purpose of this paper is to (a) review the literature on sibling abuse and (b) specify ways in which this abuse can be treated within a family systems theoretical framework.
SIBLING ABUSE
In response to the increasing awareness by professionals to child abuse and particularly child sexual abuse, literature began to appear covering virtually every aspect of the problem from prevention to treatment of the offender and the child. The dynamic initially researched and written about was adult-tochild abuse. As professional understanding developed, Finkelhor (1986a) questioned whether sexual contact other than father-daughter might be under-discovered due in part to the lack of theory to sensitize professionals to its occurrence. The subject of sibling abuse, particularly incest, has received minimal clinical attention. It is under reported, in part, due to the lack of research and theory development (Ascherman & Safier, 1990; DeJong, 1989; Smith...