Adverse Childhood Experiences and Sibling Incest
I have written a little about sibling incest on this blog. It is something that’s, unfortunately, rather common and not frequently researched. I appreciate when I see research on the topic. I hold out hope for anything that can aid our understanding and guide us toward prevention and treatment.
The Study on Sibling Incest and Adverse Childhood Experiences
A study was published in 2023 in the Journal of Sexual Aggression by Tomsen and colleagues.
This study specifically looked at youth who sexually abuse through the lens of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) by comparing ACE experiences between youth who sexually harmed a sibling and those who sexually harmed a non-sibling child.
So, let’s dig right into the research.
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Subjects of the Sibling Incest Study
The subjects were adolescent males in Australia who were referred to a Youth Forensic Service for assessment and treatment. All were between the age of 12 and 19 when they started treatment.
The study used the classic ACE questionnaire but also added their own questions to it. They added the variables of caregiver inconsistency, social isolation, bullying victimization, and poor social interaction.
They also looked at whether the youth were prone to internalizing problems (i.e., depression, anxiety), externalizing problems (i.e. aggression) or early sexual behavior problems prior to the age of 10.
Results of the Sibling Incest Study
The study found the youth who sexually harmed a sibling had higher ACE scores than those who sexually harmed a non-sibling. They also found significant differences in family functioning between the two groups.
The differences were found for caregiver sexual abuse victimization, caregiver mental health problems and caregiver inconsistently.
These issues were more prevalent for the youth who sexually harmed siblings.
Youth who sexually harmed siblings were also more likely to experience social isolation and bullying before the age of 12.
The youth who sexually harmed siblings were also more likely to internalize problems than externalize them.
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What does this mean for treatment?
The authors suggest this provides evidence that treatment for youth who sexually harm others needs to also include the entire family system. Not just the youth.
They also suggest that interventions for youth who sexually harm siblings should include interventions related to developing interpersonal skills and social functioning.
Reference: Thomsen, L., Ogilvie, J. & Rynne, J. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences and psychosocial functioning problems for youths who sexually harm siblings. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 29:3, 374-390.
Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Consult with a professional.
Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.
Are you looking for more reputable data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.
