Abstract
Background: The quality of sibling relationships is an important factor in the development of individuals, particularly in the context of a relationship with a brother or sister with disabilities. Aims: This research aims to assess the moderating role of the quality of the relationship with siblings between personality traits and coping strategies. Methods: The participants were 187 adults, of whom 97(51.9%) were Individuals with brothers or sisters with intellectual disabilities (S-IDs), aged 18 to 60 years (M=30.22; SD=12.17). The second group was 90 (48.1%) Individuals with typical developmental siblings (S-TDs) aged 18 to 76 years (M=28.56; SD=11.66). Respondents completed the Big Five Questionnaire (BFQ), the Coping Orientation to Problem Experiences (COPE), and the Adult Sibling Relationships Questionnaire (ASRQ). Results: The data show a correlation between personality traits and coping strategies. In addition, the size of the ASRQ was found to moderate the relationship between personality traits and coping strategies, albeit in a different way between the two groups. Conclusion: The quality of the reality with brothers or sisters turns out to be an important factor in the development, and it is found to mediate the relationship between personality traits and the development of coping strategies, both in S-TDs and S-IDs, presenting similarities and differences. Future research guidelines have been discussed.
Highlights
Brother and sisters play an important role in an individual’s development [1 - 3] and the relationship with them is often the one that lasts the longest during an individual’s life [2]
The quality of the reality with brothers or sisters turns out to be an important factor in the development, and it is found to mediate the relationship between personality traits and the development of coping strategies, both in S-TDs and siblings with disabilities (S-IDs), presenting similarities and differences
While the relationship between siblings has an effect on the psychological development of individuals, some authors have questioned the development of individuals in the context of a relationship with an S-ID
Summary
Brother and sisters play an important role in an individual’s development [1 - 3] and the relationship with them is often the one that lasts the longest during an individual’s life [2]. S-TDs growing up alongside S-IDs can, themselves, take on the care functions that are the responsibility of adult caregivers, taking on roles and responsibilities that are not appropriate for their age By taking on this role, the development of the child can be negatively affected, and they can experience a reduction in psychological wellbeing and increased distress in adulthood and difficulties in social interactions [14]. Not all studies agree [16], some evidence suggests that S-IDs tend to maintain less frequent and lower quality contact than S-TDs [17] In this way, it is possible that different distressing factors intervene to decrease the quality of the relationship between S-TDs and SIDs compared to that of pairs of siblings with typical development. The quality of sibling relationships is an important factor in the development of individuals, in the context of a relationship with a brother or sister with disabilities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
