The prevalence and correlates of sibling bullying victimisation in early adolescence: An investigation of over 30,000 adolescents in 18 countries

Background

Sibling bullying is a common childhood experience. Recent studies have shown that correlates of sibling bullying are proximal and distal. However, a lack of cross-cultural understanding still exists on the prevalence and protective factors of sibling bullying.

Objective

The objective of the current study was to examine the prevalence of sibling bullying and investigate whether positive environments protect against sibling bullying victimisation in 18 countries.

Participants and setting

We analysed existing data from an international study of over 30,000 adolescents aged 10 and 12 years old, the Children's World Survey.

Methods

Adolescents reported physical and verbal sibling bullying victimisation experiences and the positive aspects of their home, neighbourhood, and school environments. Regression models were fitted to investigate whether individual- and country-level positive home, neighbourhood, and school environments are associated with sibling bullying victimisation.

Results

On average, the prevalence of sibling bullying victimisation was 28 %; 1 in 4 adolescents were physically hurt or called unkind names more than three times in the last month by a sibling (excluding fighting or play fighting). The prevalence varied by country; ranging from 9 %–59 %. Whilst, on the whole, individual-level positive home, neighbourhood, and school environments were associated with reduced sibling bullying victimisation (odds ratios, 0.68–0.85), these effects differed for each country. Country-level positive environments were not associated with sibling bullying victimisation.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that improving adolescents' home, neighbourhood, and school environments might serve to reduce sibling bullying victimisation.