Pain in children with cerebral palsy – adolescent siblings’ awareness of pain and perceived influence on their family

Abstract

Objective: To elucidate the experiences of being an adolescent sibling in a family that includes a child with cerebral palsy (CP) and pain, from the perspectives of siblings and parents.Methods: Seven siblings and 10 parents were individually interviewed to systematically analyse the experiences of siblings and parents with children with CP and pain. The interviews were analysed by using qualitative content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman.Results: The theme ‘Making pain common ground for support’ and three categories combined the non-disabled adolescent sibling and parental experiences of the child’s pain, and point to the need for support of the non-disabled siblings. Dysfunctional coping influences the siblings’ daily life and future health. Siblings wanted closer contact with the Development Centre in order to alleviate their negative emotions.Conclusions: As Development Centre physiotherapists meet the families to the child with CP, they can be a link to the sibling. Physiotherapists can educate siblings on pain and how to better cope with stress and emotional discomfort caused by their sibling’s CP and pain.