Trauma and Recovery

Abstract

A qualitative study exploring how victims of emotional and physical sibling abuse make sense of their abusive experiences particularly in the realm of interpersonal relations also uncovered risk and protective factors. The narratives of 19 self-identified survivors of traumatic childhood and adolescent sibling abuse provide insight into how these at-risk children prospered despite their adverse circumstances. Object relations theory, trauma theory, and resiliency theory provide a lens through which to consider the short-term and long-term emotional resonance and the needs of childhood victims and adult survivors. Creative outlets and supportive relationships during childhood serve as valuable coping mechanisms as does therapy during adulthood. Defenses, such as emotional cutoffs, are discussed as both potential risk and protective factors. Knowledge of protective factors for the sibling abuse individual during both childhood and adulthood indicates the ability to connect families to resources and serve as pathways toward prevention and intervention.