Sibling Conflict, Aggression, and Abuse Research
(SCAAR)
Research on sibling conflict, aggression, and abuse is scarce, but international studies have shown that there is more violence between siblings than any other family group - including child abuse and intimate partner violence.
Is the same true in Canada?
Why is it important?
Sibling Conflict, Aggression, and Abuse Research (SCAAR) is Canada’s first national study to look at this complex issue.
Using a nationally representative sample of Canadian young adults aged 19 to 24, the study examined sibling relationships during adolescence retrospectively.
The team is led by Dr. Joseph Michalski, Professor of Sociology at King’s University College in London, Ontario and Dr. Geneviève Bouchard, Professor in the School of Psychology, Université de Moncton in Moncton NB.
What Canada’s young people are saying ...
Click the link below for research details
Two-thirds of Canadian young adults reported experiencing or perpetrating sibling violence during their adolescence.
Of the ten forms of bullying that involved mainly verbal and relational abuse, five out of six respondents reported experiencing one or more forms with their siblings closest in age during their adolescence.
Those who experienced sibling violence or bullying during adolescence had lower self-esteem and life satisfaction, and reported more alcohol and drug use as young adults.
All quotes taken directly from research participants