Vécu psychologique d’adolescents ayant un frère ou une sœur porteur d’un Trouble du Spectre de l’Autisme et qualité des relations intrafamiliales

Abstract

ObjectivesThe first objective of this study was to compare quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and family relationships among adolescent siblings of children with or without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The second aim was to investigate correlations between all the variables in the group “siblings with autism”. Participants and methodsParticipants are between 12 to 17 years old (19 adolescents in each group). In the group “siblings with autism”, adolescents were required to live with their siblings with autism, to not present a chronic somatic disease or psychiatric disorder and to not participate in a support group The majority of adolescent siblings of children with ASD were girls (84, 2%) and were the oldest child. A total of 10.5% had two siblings with ASD. Adolescents with siblings without a disability were mostly male (57, 9%). All adolescents completed four questionnaires. The first one (Vécu et Santé Perçue de l’Adolescent, VSP-A) assesses experience and perceived health, producing a global score and focusing on different areas related to quality of life: vitality, psychological well-being, relationship with friends, leisure activities, relationship with parents, physical well-being, relationship with teachers, school performance and self image. Secondly, the French version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure symptoms of anxiety and depression. Thirdly, the French version of the Egna Minnen Beträffende Uppfostran (Questionnaire d’Évaluation des Relations Parent/Enfant, QERPE) was used to assess parent/child relations. Respondents rated the support, rejection and overprotection of their both parents. The last questionnaire was the French version of the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (Questionnaire sur les Relations Fraternelles, QRF) composed of 7 dimensions: pro-social behaviors, intimacy, affection, friendship, similarities, educational support given by the respondent to his/her brother/sister and educational support given by the brother/sister to the respondent. ResultsNo difference was found between the two groups concerning quality of life, symptoms of depression and relations with their parents. Adolescent siblings of children with ASD tend to support more their brother/sister, but feel less supported by them than adolescents of siblings without a disability. Moreover, they present more symptoms of anxiety. The higher the quality of life of adolescents with siblings with ASD, the more they feel supported by their mothers, have pro-social behaviors and feel intimacy with their siblings, and the less they feel rejected by both of their parents. The less symptoms of depression adolescents have, the more they feel supported by their mother, and the less they feel rejected and overprotected by their father. The more symptoms of depression adolescents have, the less they present pro-social behavior and the less they feel intimacy with their siblings with ASD. Concerning relations with their parents, the more they feel rejected by their mother, the less they find similarity with their siblings. The more they feel rejected by their fathers, the less they support their siblings and present less pro-social behavior, friendship and similarity. ConclusionTo conclude, it seems necessary to propose psychological support for siblings and parents of children with ASD.