Peer and sibling aggression: An investigation of intra- and extra-familial bullying

The current study examines the prevalence of bullying in 375 U.S. American children, determines the relationship between peer bullying and sibling bullying, and examines the link between psychological difficulties and bullying. Twenty-five percent of the children reported being victims of peer bullying and 28% acknowledged being bullies. Children who were peer bullies and victims of peer bullying reported the highest frequency of sibling bullying and victimization. In addition, there were significant group effects for sibling and peer-bully involvement as well as a sibling by peer bullying interaction in level of self-reported psychological difficulties. In general, those who were both bullies and victims reported the highest level of psychological difficulty followed by victims; bullies, and those not involved in bullying, in that order.