Parental Differential Treatment, Sibling Power, and Sibling Violence

Sibling violence is one of the most prevalent yet understudied forms of family violence. Prior research suggests that parental differential treatment and power imbalances within sibling relationships are each associated with sibling aggression, but these processes have rarely been examined together. The present study addressed this gap by examining parental differential treatment and relative sibling power as interrelated familial factors associated with sibling violence. Participants were 748 adults (79% female), ranging in age from 18 to 93 years, who retrospectively reported on their childhood experiences with parents and siblings. Results indicated that parental differential affection was indirectly associated with sibling violence through relative sibling power. Specifically, unequal parental affection was linked to imbalances in sibling power, which in turn were associated with higher levels of sibling violence, including both perpetration and victimization. In contrast, parental differential control was directly associated with sibling violence, suggesting that unequal and harsh parental discipline is linked to greater violent interactions between siblings, independent of sibling power dynamics. Together, these findings highlight the central role of parents in shaping sibling power hierarchies and sibling violence. By identifying distinct pathways linking parental treatment, sibling power, and sibling violence, this study advances understanding of family processes that contribute to sibling aggression and underscores the importance of considering both parental behavior and power dynamics in efforts to prevent and address sibling violence.