Sibling Bullying May Lead to Psychotic Disorders
LONDON (Dispatches)-People who were bullied by siblings during childhood are up to three times more likely to develop psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia in early adulthood, according to new research.
The research by University of Warwick found that the more frequently children are involved in sibling bullying -- either as bully, victim, or both -- the more likely they are to develop a psychotic disorder.
In the study by led by Professor Dieter Wolke (senior author) at Warwick's Department of Psychology, almost 3,600 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children completed a detailed questionnaire on sibling bullying at twelve years of age, and then subsequently filled out a standardized clinical examination assessing psychotic symptoms when they were eighteen years old.
Of the adolescents, 664 were victims of sibling bullying, 486 children were pure bullies to their siblings and 771 children were bully-victims (victimized by siblings and bullied their siblings), at age twelve.
Fifty-five of the total 3600 children in the study had developed a psychotic disorder by the age of eighteen.
The researchers found that the more frequently children are involved in sibling bullying -- either as bully, victim, or both -- the more likely they are to develop a psychotic disorder.
Those involved in sibling bulling (as bully or victim) several times a week or month are two to three times more likely to develop a psychotic disorder than other kids.
The children most at risk are victims of sibling bullying, and those who both become victims and bully their siblings (bully-victims).
Children who are victimized both at home and by school peers are even worse off -- being four times more likely to develop psychotic disorders than those not involved in bullying at all.
The research by University of Warwick found that the more frequently children are involved in sibling bullying -- either as bully, victim, or both -- the more likely they are to develop a psychotic disorder.
In the study by led by Professor Dieter Wolke (senior author) at Warwick's Department of Psychology, almost 3,600 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children completed a detailed questionnaire on sibling bullying at twelve years of age, and then subsequently filled out a standardized clinical examination assessing psychotic symptoms when they were eighteen years old.
Of the adolescents, 664 were victims of sibling bullying, 486 children were pure bullies to their siblings and 771 children were bully-victims (victimized by siblings and bullied their siblings), at age twelve.
Fifty-five of the total 3600 children in the study had developed a psychotic disorder by the age of eighteen.
The researchers found that the more frequently children are involved in sibling bullying -- either as bully, victim, or both -- the more likely they are to develop a psychotic disorder.
Those involved in sibling bulling (as bully or victim) several times a week or month are two to three times more likely to develop a psychotic disorder than other kids.
The children most at risk are victims of sibling bullying, and those who both become victims and bully their siblings (bully-victims).
Children who are victimized both at home and by school peers are even worse off -- being four times more likely to develop psychotic disorders than those not involved in bullying at all.