Help seeking behaviours in those that have experienced sibling aggression and violence

Sibling aggression is one of the most common forms of family violence, with prevalence rates as high as 91% (Roscoe et al., 1987). Despite this, society often views the behaviours as normal and acceptable (Khan & Rogers, 2015). If the same behaviours were to occur between intimate partners, they would be viewed as abusive (Caspi, 2012). For this reason, there is currently a research interest into this form of family violence, with much of the literature in this area exploring the prevalence, consequences of and risk factors for sibling aggression. Whilst the research literature is currently focused on the aforementioned factors, little has focused on the help seeking experiences of those that have experienced this form of aggression, whether that be perpetrators and / or victims of the behaviours. The prevalence rates of the behaviours are consistently high (e.g., Peng et al., 2022; Toseeb & Wolke, 2022) and with such societal normalisation, people who need support may be dismissed, with their experiences being considered ‘part of growing up’. This can go on to have negative long-term effects on both victims and/or perpetrators. It is therefore important to explore people’s experiences of help seeking around sibling aggression further. The findings have the potential to not only provide academic insight into this form of family violence, but also to help inform interventions to help those involved. The purpose of this study is to explore and understand the retrospective experiences of help seeking behaviours and interventions for sibling aggression. The goal is not to uncover true recollections of incident details, but how participants understand and make sense of their retrospective experiences of support. The findings will be of interest to those working with these individuals, in terms of the support that they provide in helping them on a long-term basis, and academic audiences more generally. Whilst the research literature is currently focused on the aforementioned factors, little has focused on the help seeking experiences of those that have experienced this form of aggression, whether that be perpetrators and / or victims of the behaviours. The prevalence rates of the behaviours are consistently high (e.g., Peng et al., 2022; Toseeb & Wolke, 2022) and with such societal normalisation, people who need support may be dismissed, with their experiences being considered ‘part of growing up’. This can go on to have negative long-term effects on both victims and/or perpetrators. It is therefore important to explore people’s experiences of help seeking around sibling aggression further. The findings have the potential to not only provide academic insight into this form of family violence, but also to help inform interventions to help those involved