The Importance of Parents in Sibling Abuse Trauma A Review of Sibling Abuse Trauma: Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Children, Families, and Adults (2nd ed (original) (raw)

(paperback); ISBN 978-0-203-79707-5 (e-book). 185.00,hardcover;185.00, hardcover; 185.00,hardcover;55.95, paperback http://dx. Sibling Abuse Trauma: Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Children, Families, and Adults by John V. Caffaro addresses clinical treatment of sibling-on-sibling acts of physical, sexual, and emotional violence. It is well organized and clearly written. The book's 10 chapters are organized into three sections and cover topics such as the difference between abuse and "normal" sibling rivalry, the dynamics of sibling abuse and how they relate to the larger family context, the effects of the abuse on the victimized sibling, and different methods of decreasing and preventing such violence. The book presents a number of specific case examples from the author's clinical practice that help the reader gain insight into what these interventions would look like in the real world. The author discusses many different treatments and related issues, ranging from child and family interventions to interventions with adult survivors of sibling abuse. The book would be an excellent addition to the library of any mental health treatment provider. Caffaro discusses many factors that might contribute to sibling abuse, such as family and sibling dynamics. One contributing factor, however, that he does not discuss in detail is the role of temperament and personality factors, particularly psychopathy, in abusive behavior. Antisocial behavior and conduct issues are often observed early in life with psychopathic individuals, including behaviors that violate others' rights (Dadds, Fraser, Frost, & Hawes, 2005). Although children and adolescents who are high in psychopathic traits are likely to be a small percentage of those in treatment, psychopathy would have significant treatment implications for cases of sibling abuse; given their close proximity in family contexts, siblings are often targets. It is important to consider how treatment might play out in such a circumstance. A thorough assessment of motivation to change and intellectual functioning is especially important in these cases, as both can serve as protective factors for reduced violence in the future (Salekin, Lee, Schrum Dillard, & Kubak, 2010). Family-based interventions are also likely to be more effective in these cases.