Relationships of Adult Siblings with Intellectually Challenged Children Their Roles and Responsibilities

Abstract

There is very little research done in Pakistan on adult sibling relationships, despite of the importance these relationships have in the life of children with intellectual challenges. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative research was to investigate the perceptions of adult siblings about “intellectual disability" and the roles and responsibilities they perceive for their intellectually challenged younger siblings. Data were obtained through semi structured interviews from 5 participants including 5 adult siblings of 3 children with intellectual challenges. The adult siblings in the study reflected caregiving roles and supporting roles. They perceived that they have educational, parental and financial responsibilities toward their intellectually challenged siblings. The study also revealed the existence of conflicts among siblings due to the behavioral issues of intellectually challenged siblings, maternal attention, and the birth order. The study indicated a strong new for rising awareness among siblings of intellectually disabled children regarding the strategies to cope up with the existing siblings related issues in families of intellectually challenged children. The research also provides directions for future research in the area.