International and Cross-Cultural Research on Conflict and Violence between Siblings

Abstract

In the current chapter, we will start with a theoretical and empirical overview of sibling conflict and violence, followed by current knowledge about the impact of sibling conflict and violence on child and adolescent psychosocial development. Finally, although research about potential cross-cultural differences in the impact of sibling conflict and violence on child and adolescent development is quite scarce, we will discuss theoretical backgrounds and empirical findings concerning these cross-cultural differences. Considering the fact that virtually all societies are characterized by diversity in cultural and ethnic backgrounds, it is important to know whether and how culture may influence the processes between sibling conflict and violence on the one hand and psychosocial functioning on the other hand. If these processes are quite similar, then similar intervention approaches can be used across different cultural or ethnic groups. However, if cultural differences exist in the impact of sibling conflict and violence on child outcome, then interventions need to be finetuned to reflect these differences.