Sibling Coping Research Articles

Psychological Intervention on Health, Self-Esteem, and Coping in Siblings of Patients with Severe Mental Disorders

Psychological Intervention on Health, Self-Esteem, and Coping in Siblings of Patients with Severe Mental Disorders

Child Life Services for Siblings of Chronically Ill Children

Objective: Siblings of children with chronic illnesses are at high risk of adverse psychosocial and developmental outcomes, yet limited sibling-specific services are available at most pediatric healthcare facilities. Child life specialists are often the professionals most focused on and available to provide education, emotional support, and therapeutic play to support sibling coping needs in this context; however, little is known about the scope and availability of child life services for siblings of children with chronic illnesses. Therefore, the purpose of this survey-based study was to examine the type and frequency of child life services available to siblings in pediatric healthcare settings in North America, and to identify barriers to sibling support provision. Method: Survey-based study, across the 76 participants. Results: A variety of sibling support frequencies and service types were identified, as well as barriers related to lack of clinical staffing, hospital-imposed visitation restrictions, and limited sibling support referrals from multidisciplinary team members. Conclusion: Noting these opportunities and limitations, it is crucial that healthcare administrators and institutions invest monetary and staffing resource to better meet the needs of siblings of hospitalized children. Disclosure Statement: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). Funding Statement: No funding sources were provided by the author(s).

Correlates of Latina college students' dyadic coping with sisters

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined Latina college students' perceptions of sisters' dyadic coping behaviors following stress disclosure, and how dyadic coping behaviors were associated with sibling relationship characteristics and familism values.BackgroundSibling relationships are protective when college students experience adversity.MethodThe sample included 195 Latina college students (Mage = 23.25 years, SD = 1.93) and path analysis was conducted to address the study goals.ResultsLatina college students perceived high levels of supportive, delegated, and common dyadic coping behaviors and moderate levels of negative dyadic coping behaviors from their sisters. Latina college students who lived with their sisters perceived more delegated dyadic coping behaviors than those who lived apart. Sibling intimacy was positively associated with perceptions of sisters' supportive, delegated, and common dyadic coping, but was not associated with negative dyadic coping behaviors. Sibling negativity was negatively associated with perceptions of sisters' supportive and common dyadic coping behaviors and positively associated with perceptions of sisters' negative dyadic coping behaviors. Further, Latina college students' stronger endorsement of familism values was associated with greater perceptions of sisters' supportive, delegated, and common dyadic coping behaviors.ConclusionOverall, our study showed that Latina college students perceived dyadic coping behaviors from their sisters, which were associated with aspects of their sibling relationship and their endorsement of familism values.ImplicationsContinuing to examine dyadic coping in siblings is important as it may have implications for family‐focused prevention and intervention programs.

Needs in siblings of individuals with Down Syndrome and levels of coping Cali, Colombia

Objective: To determine the needs and level of coping in siblings of people with Down Syndrome. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out in 2016. Sample consisted of 30 siblings of people with Down Syndrome between 6 and 60 years old. Using non-probability convenience sampling. Two instruments were used to collect the information: a) a validated sociodemographic and needs survey of the siblings, designed by the authors, and b). Callista Roy adaptation and coping survey validated. Results: 60% of the siblings report not having felt judged by other people when presenting their brother/sister with Down syndrome. 73.3% of the siblings did not receive information about Down Syndrome from a nursing professional, the need to strengthen the nursing care provided to the siblings of people with disabilities in this regard is evident. 53.3% of these present a medium level of coping with respect to the condition of having a brother with Down syndrome. Conclusion: Identified needs were: time needs, affective needs, family needs, social needs, economic and access to information needs. Highlighting these needs allows the nursing professional to identify and consider the siblings of people with Down Syndrome have different needs than the rest of the family nucleus. Where interventions aimed at reducing the harmful effects and enhancing those characteristics of gain related with having a brother with Down Syndrome.

Emotional-Behavioral Disorders in Healthy Siblings of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Background and Objectives: Siblings of disabled children are more at risk of developing mental illnesses. More than 50 international studies show that about 8% of children and adolescents suffer from a mental disorder, which is almost always a source of difficulties both at the interpersonal level (in the family and with peers) and at school. Healthy siblings of children with disabilities are one of the groups most at risk for consequences in psychological health and well-being. As some authors suggest, siblings build their idea of “being people”, in terms of character and personality, by continuously and daily confronting themselves with the theme of disability and a family context subjected to continuous stress. The following contribution aims to compare emotional–behavioral disorders in healthy siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder, in healthy siblings of children with Down’s syndrome and in healthy siblings of children with typical development. Materials and Methods: The results involve 153 children from the region of Campania and their caregivers through the administration of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results: From the data, it emerged that siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder and siblings of children with Down’s syndrome have a greater emotional fragility, especially among male subjects. Conclusions: Our results require us to reflect on the clinical and policy measures needed to ensure the well-being of siblings of disabled children, mainly through appropriate sibling coping training.

Parents' emotion socialization beliefs moderate relations between parent and patient coping, but not sibling coping, with pediatric cancer.

This study evaluated (a) differences in parents' emotion socialization (ES) beliefs for patients/siblings, (b) whether parents' ES beliefs predict patient/sibling coping, and (c) whether parents' ES beliefs moderate links between parent and patient/sibling coping with pediatric cancer. This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study of 134 pediatric cancer patients, their caregiver, and their nearest-age sibling. Participants could complete measures themselves via paper-and-pencil or telephone, or researchers could read questions aloud. Parents' ES beliefs differed for patients/siblings. ES beliefs did not directly predict patient/sibling coping but did moderate relations between parent and patient coping. Despite extent literature promoting universal emotion coaching ES, our study indicates that ES beliefs might have a complex relation with parent coping in predicting patient coping.

Experiencing the relationship with a sibling coping with mental health problems: Dilemmas of connection, communication, and role.

Prolonged mental health problems of one family member influences the whole family system, including sibling relationships. The current research focuses on the way siblings of persons with mental health problems experience the relationship. The findings identify the challenges and difficulties these siblings face and can help mental health practitioners support siblings as well as their brothers and sisters with mental health problems. This qualitative research employs the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis method. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 14 adult siblings of persons coping with prolonged mental health problems. The sample included seven men and seven women, between the ages of 20-55. Three main themes were identified: (a) Connection: Between involvement and distance; (b) Communication: Controlled confrontation or cautious vagueness; (c) Role: Positioning in the sibling relationship. The discussion introduces the Relational Dialectics Theory in order to understand contradictory statements that arise from the interviewees' experience of dialectal tensions between: involvement versus distancing; direct confrontation versus cautious vagueness; and opposing positions in relation to the sibling coping with mental health problems. A multi-voiced discourse allows for dialogue that incorporates the contradictory poles of the dialectic, thus enabling the siblings to balance the tension in the relationship. In addition, the concept of ambiguous loss is used to interpret the findings. The study is limited by the small homogeneous sample. The results highlight the need for practitioners to give special attention to siblings of persons with mental health problems in order to help them process and cope with the challenges in the relationship, thus providing an opportunity for growth and empowerment.

When One Sibling has Autism: Adjustment and Sibling Relationship

The presence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in one sibling can impact typically developing (TD) siblings’ adjustment and quality of the sibling relationship. The present study examined the impact of sibling characteristics on both the sibling relationship and adjustment in TD siblings using self, parent, and clinician reports. Fifty-two TD siblings and parents completed questionnaires about TD sibling adjustment and sibling relationship quality. Greater behavior difficulties in siblings with ASD related to poorer TD sibling adjustment and quality of the sibling relationship. A more positive TD sibling perception of the sibling relationship was associated with greater TD sibling coping and support. Findings are discussed in terms of how these risk factors can inform interventions.

Influences on the psychosocial adjustment of siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder in Taiwan and the United Kingdom

BackgroundThe present paper examined the psychosocial adjustment of typically developing (TD) siblings of children with ASD and the extent to which this is impacted by key demographic and psychosocial variables. A cross-cultural perspective was adopted to compare influences on coping and adjustment in Taiwan and the United Kingdom (UK). Method155 mother-TD sibling dyads participated, 80 in Taiwan and 75 in the UK. Participants reported by questionnaire on family demographics, symptom severity of the child with ASD, TD siblings’ life events, subjective well-being, social support, coping strategies, parent and sibling Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP) level and adjustment outcome. ResultsAccording to their self-report, TD siblings’ in Taiwan were fairly well adjusted, while slightly elevated difficulties were found in the UK sample, with peer problems the biggest concern. Impact of life experience, sibling coping, and social support were related to adjustment in both countries, but with different coping styles important in the two countries. In the UK, parents’ coping style and siblings’ own BAP level also contributed to outcome. Some differences between Taiwan and the UK samples may result from culturally-specific patterns in evaluation of child behaviours. ConclusionsThe findings from this large-scale questionnaire study have implications for clinical practice. UK siblings’ adjustment might be enhanced via intervention on parent coping style, while Taiwanese siblings may be better supported through promotion of their own coping. Health professionals should be aware of the influence of BAP levels in parents and TD siblings, which might change the way they experience stress and respond under pressure.

248 Impact of Childhood Chronic Illnesses on Siblings: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: Childhood chronic illness can have a significant impact on siblings of ill children. The aim of this review was to identify, appraise and synthesise the literature in order to examine the impact of childhood chronic illness or disability on siblings. Method: A systematic review was undertaken by searching the databases CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Cochrane Library. By using relevant search terms seventeen research studies were reviewed. All of the studies used quantitative methodologies to examine the impact of childhood chronic illness on siblings. Results: The review focused on three sibling groups related to children diagnosed with autism, cancer and Down's syndrome. The findings are discussed under the following headings: ‘sibling adjustment to chronic illness’, ‘family functioning and sibling's coping resources’ and finally ‘intervention programmes for siblings of chronically ill children’. Conclusion: The literature revealed that siblings of children with Down's syndrome were well adjusted to living with their brother or sister. However, there was conflicting information on the adjustment of siblings of children diagnosed with Cancer and Autism. An awareness of the harmful effect that living with childhood illness and disability can have on some siblings is essential to enable children's nurses to provide supportive interventions to protect siblings' physical and emotional wellbeing.

Stress Appraisal and Coping in Siblings of Childrenwith Special Needs

Self-reports from siblings of children with special needs regarding their appraisal of family stress and coping are important additions to the disability literature. Twelve school-age siblings of children with special needs were interviewed about their daily hassles, uplifts, and coping strategies related to living in a family with a child with a disability. Parents also reported on family coping strategies. Children reported that the most frequent daily hassle was when their sibling with special needs cried, screamed, or yelled when he/she did not want to do some-thing. The most frequent daily uplift was when their sibling gave hugs or kisses. Children reported feeling most stressed when embarrassed by their sibling with special needs in front of friends and happiest when playing with their sibling. Wishful thinking was a common child coping strategy during stressful times. Im-plications for working with families with special needs are discussed.

An expanded Transactional Stress and Coping Model for siblings of children with sickle cell disease: family functioning and sibling coping, self‐efficacy and perceived social support

To investigate the application of an expanded Transactional Stress and Coping Model for the psychological adjustment of non-chronically ill, African-American siblings of children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Ninety-seven siblings (M = 11.24 years) from 65 families who care for a child with SCD participated. Primary caregivers completed the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, the Family Relations Scale and the Child Behaviour Checklist, while siblings completed the Kidcope, the Children's Self-Efficacy for Peer Interaction Scale, and the Social Support Scale for Children. Family processes were predictive of sibling adjustment, revealing that family coping, expressiveness and support improved adjustment, while family conflict predicted poor adjustment. Findings suggest that family-centered interventions stressing family expressiveness and support, while minimizing conflict, will contribute to sibling psychological adjustment.

Child, parent and family factors as predictors of adjustment for siblings of children with a disability

Siblings adjust to having a brother or sister with a disability in diverse ways. This study investigated a range of child, parent and family factors as predictors of sibling adjustment outcomes. Forty-nine siblings (aged 7-16 years) and parents provided information about (1) sibling daily hassles and uplifts; (2) sibling coping; (3) parent stress; (4) parenting; and (5) family resilience. Multiple regression techniques were used. It was found that parent and family factors were stronger predictors of sibling adjustment difficulties than siblings' own experiences of stress and coping. Specifically, socio-economic status, past attendance at a sibling support group, parent stress, family time and routines, family problem-solving and communication, and family hardiness-predicted sibling adjustment difficulties. Finally, siblings' perceived intensity of daily uplifts significantly predicted sibling prosocial behaviour. The results revealed that the family level of risk and resilience factors were better predictors of sibling adjustment than siblings' own experiences of stress and coping resources, highlighting the importance of familial and parental contributions to the sibling adjustment process. The implications of these results for the design of interventions and supports for siblings are discussed.

Coping and Family Functioning Predict Longitudinal Psychological Adaptation of Siblings of Childhood Cancer Patients

To assess associations of coping and family functioning with psychosocial adjustment in siblings of pediatric cancer patients at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis. Eighty-three siblings (ages 7-19 years) participated. Effects on anxiety, quality of life, behavioral-emotional problems, and emotional reactions to the illness were investigated. Data-analysis was performed with multilevel mixed modeling. Psychosocial functioning was impaired at 1 month but ameliorated over time. Adjustment problems were associated with high family adaptation and cohesion, older age, and female gender. Lower anxiety, insecurity, loneliness, and illness involvement were related to siblings' ability to remain optimistic. Insecurity and illness involvement were positively related to reliance on the medical specialist and a tendency to seek information about the illness. Siblings of pediatric cancer patients are most affected by the illness in the first months. Children at risk may be identified according to sibling age and gender and according to long-term family adaptation processes and sibling coping abilities.

A Delphi study of pediatric oncology nurses' facilitative behaviors.

Using a classic Delphi methodology, this study identified the nursing behaviors and interventions that oncology nurses rated as most important in facilitating the patient's, parents', and siblings' coping efforts with the effects of disease and treatment. Random selection of 300 pediatric oncology nurses resulted in a final sample of 69 nurses who completed all 3 rounds of the Delphi. The majority of the nurses were younger than 35 years of age, had less than 10 years of experience, were educated with at least a bachelor's degree, and practiced in an all-oncology setting. Twenty-eight facilitative behaviors were identified for the child with cancer, 25 for the parents, and 25 for the siblings. Results of this study support previous research on patient, parent, and sibling coping.

Stress and Coping in Siblings Of Childhood Cancer Patients

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe cognitive and behavioral coping strategies used by siblings of pediatric oncology patients. Fifteen families with 26 siblings between 7 and 11 years of age were studied. Parent data were obtained from an open-ended interview and a questionnaire. Sibling data included open-ended interviews using psychosocial assessments through puppet play, kinetic family drawings, cartoon story telling, a sentence completion test, and a limited number of direct questions. Content analysis of sibling data revealed major stressor themes of loss, fear of death, and change. Further analysis of sibling data pertinent to coping efforts led to the development of a taxonomy of cognitive and behavioral coping efforts.

Stress and coping in siblings of childhood cancer patients.

Stress and coping in siblings of childhood cancer patients.