Self-Perception and Family Functioning in Healthy School-Age Siblings of Children with Asthma and Diabetes, and Healthy Children

Abstract

This study examined self-perception and family functioning in healthy school-age siblings of children with asthma and diabetes. The 135 siblings completed the Family APGAR for Children and the Self-Perception Profile for Children. Results indicated that siblings of children with diabetes were at risk for self-perception problems in the areas of scholastic competence and global self-worth. Male sibling pairs in the diabetes group had lower self-perception scores than male pairs in the asthma group; whereas, female sibling pairs in the diabetes group had lower family functioning scores than female pairs in the asthma or healthy groups. For the siblings in the diabetes group, physical appearance, athletic competence, behavioral conduct, scholastic competence, and global self-worth were significantly associated with family functioning. Results support inclusion of self-perception and family functioning as important indicators of healthy sibling adjustment.