This study documented four patterns of sibling victimization (Persist, New, Desist, and None) across two time points and their association with peer victimization at time two and whether these linkages were apparent in early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence.
A telephone survey (N = 1,653) was conducted with a nationally representative sample of U.S. parents with children (ages 3–9) and adolescents (ages 10 to 17). The four patterns differed by age, gender, ethnicity and parent educational levels, but not family structure. The Persist, New, and Desist sibling victimization patterns were associated with a greater likelihood of peer victimization. Sibling victimization patterns were unrelated to peer victimization in early childhood, but were predictive of peer victimization in middle childhood and adolescence. Findings showed that sibling victimization increased children’s and adolescents’ vulnerability to peer victimization. Children and adolescents who experienced chronic sibling victimization (Persist group) were particularly vulnerable to peer victimization. Eliminating sibling victimization could reduce peer victimization in middle childhood and adolescence. 48 references (publisher abstract modified)