"It burns her more than it burns for me": The sibling subsystem in the context of child physical abuse as portrayed by children during forensic interviews.
Child physical abuse
Compensation
Family dynamic
Forensic interviews
Sibling subsystem
Spillover
Transmission of trauma
Journal
Child abuse & neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Titre abrégé: Child Abuse Negl
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7801702
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
10 2021
10 2021
Historique:
received:
30
11
2020
revised:
20
06
2021
accepted:
28
07
2021
pubmed:
16
8
2021
medline:
19
3
2022
entrez:
15
8
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The sibling subsystem is a central and potentially protective factor for children. Nevertheless, in the context of child abuse, it remains surprisingly understudied. The current study was designed to examine how children referred to a forensic interview following suspected physical abuse experienced and perceived the sibling subsystem. The sample included 60 forensic interviews with children, aged 4 to 14. Each child had at least one sibling and referred to this sibling in the context of the abuse they experienced. Thematic analysis was carried out on the narratives provided by the children. Several steps were taken to ensure the trustworthiness of the study, with four criteria: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The main theme identified was physical abuse as a familial routine. This abusive routine was sometimes perceived as normal and sometimes traumatic, with descriptions of fear and physical pain. The children addressed the various figures in this abusive routine. When these horrific daily experiences were elaborated on, the children often captured the sibling subsystem as a source of security, comfort and protection. Moreover, the children's language often communicated the siblings' bond, referring to "we" and "us." Within a few narratives, a split between the siblings was identified, which appeared to be a strategy of self-protection by going against their siblings. The current findings join the recent accumulating evidence with respect to the centrality of the sibling subsystem in the experiences and consequences of child abuse. It is imperative to advance practitioners' knowledge and interventions to better adapt to the central role of the sibling subsystem in the context of child abuse.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The sibling subsystem is a central and potentially protective factor for children. Nevertheless, in the context of child abuse, it remains surprisingly understudied.
OBJECTIVE
The current study was designed to examine how children referred to a forensic interview following suspected physical abuse experienced and perceived the sibling subsystem.
PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
The sample included 60 forensic interviews with children, aged 4 to 14. Each child had at least one sibling and referred to this sibling in the context of the abuse they experienced.
METHODS
Thematic analysis was carried out on the narratives provided by the children. Several steps were taken to ensure the trustworthiness of the study, with four criteria: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.
RESULTS
The main theme identified was physical abuse as a familial routine. This abusive routine was sometimes perceived as normal and sometimes traumatic, with descriptions of fear and physical pain. The children addressed the various figures in this abusive routine. When these horrific daily experiences were elaborated on, the children often captured the sibling subsystem as a source of security, comfort and protection. Moreover, the children's language often communicated the siblings' bond, referring to "we" and "us." Within a few narratives, a split between the siblings was identified, which appeared to be a strategy of self-protection by going against their siblings.
CONCLUSION
The current findings join the recent accumulating evidence with respect to the centrality of the sibling subsystem in the experiences and consequences of child abuse. It is imperative to advance practitioners' knowledge and interventions to better adapt to the central role of the sibling subsystem in the context of child abuse.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34392024
pii: S0145-2134(21)00324-0
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105251
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
105251Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.