Sibling incest aversion as an index of oedipal conflict

This study examines sibling incest aversion as an index of the Oedipus complex. The scale's construction and its relation to presence of opposite sex siblings, guilt, and neuroticism is described. Males displayed less aversion and more variability in incest aversion than did females. There was a positive relation between aversion and having an opposite sex sibling for males, but not for females. For both sexes there was a positive relation between sex guilt and aversion. Compared to high or low incest aversion females, middle females displayed a mild obsessive-compulsive pattern, higher hostility guilt, more neurotic complaints, less extraversion and more sensitization. The high reliability and significant relations with relevant variables demonstrate the usefulness of this scale.