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Sibling bullying: A silent contributor to mental health challenges
23.08.2023 14:50
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:23
The impact of sibling bullying on the mental health of young individuals has come under scrutiny in a recent study, revealing alarming consequences for their well-being.
With a comprehensive analysis of data from over 17,000 participants, the study sheds light on a troubling connection between the frequency of sibling bullying during the formative years of early-to-middle adolescence and the severity of mental health issues that emerge in late adolescence.
Let's find out more.
Peering into the intricacies
The research underscores that sibling bullying, regardless of one's role as a victim, perpetrator, or both, casts a long shadow on positive and negative mental health outcomes throughout the transition into late adolescence.
This developmental phase is recognized as a period of vulnerability for mental well-being, and when paired with challenging sibling dynamics, it can further compound mental health struggles.
Echoing the significance of the findings, Dr. Umar Toseeb highlights the unexpected revelation that even those who engage in sibling bullying, without personally experiencing victimization, face heightened mental health challenges in their later years.
An all-encompassing investigation
The study's exploration spans a spectrum of mental health dimensions, encompassing both constructive facets such as well-being and self-esteem, as well as adversarial aspects like symptoms of psychological distress.
Guiding interventions and change
In light of its insights, the study suggests that interventions and preventative strategies aimed at mitigating mental health hurdles and nurturing positive well-being during the crucial period of late adolescence should take into account the impact of sibling bullying during earlier stages of development.
Grounded in data sourced from the UK-based Millennium Cohort Study, the research enriches our understanding of how sibling interactions can silently influence mental health trajectories, urging for increased awareness and proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of young individuals.
