Influences of sibling disability and childhood caregiving experiences on interest in a disability-specific helping profession

Abstract

Individuals with a disabled sibling (WDS) are more likely than individuals without a disabled sibling (WODS) to select a helping profession (Martins, 2007). However, research focusing on specific types of helping professions, rather than helping professions as a whole, that individuals WDS may choose and research examining experiences that influence individuals’ WDS choice of a helping profession remains limited. In the present study we examine the association between sibling disability status (e.g., individuals WDS versus individuals WODS) and emerging adults’ interest in a career working with youth with disabilities. Additionally, we examine childhood emotional caregiving (e.g., caregiving experiences aimed at fulfilling the emotional needs of the family) and childhood instrumental caregiving (e.g., caregiving experiences aimed at fulfilling the physical needs of the family) as potential moderators of this association. The present study included 858 undergraduate students enrolled in courses in human development and education at 11 institutions. Data were collected using online surveys. Results revealed that when individuals WDS experienced high levels of emotional caregiving roles in their families they were more likely to express interest in a career working with youth with disabilities than individuals WODS. Additionally, instrumental caregiving demonstrated different associations with interest in this career for individuals WDS versus individuals WODS at low levels of emotional caregiving. Our findings suggest that emotional caregiving roles experienced by individuals WDS are influential in emerging adults’ decisions to pursue a career working with youth with disabilities.