Sibling Relationships In Families Research Articles

Sibling Relationships in Families of Autistic and Typical Children: Similarities and Differences in the Perspectives of Siblings and Mothers.

This study investigates mothers' and siblings' perspectives regarding similarities and differences in siblingships with and without autism. Twenty-nine typical children (Mage = 8.78years, SD = 2.05) whose younger siblings have a diagnosis of autism and their mothers constituted the 'autism group.' Forty-six typical children (Mage = 9.12years, SD = 2.06) with younger typical siblings and their mothers constituted the 'typical group'. Children and mothers completed the Sibling Relationship Questionnaires and were interviewed. Children's reports illustrated similarities in sibling relationships across groups, with no between-group differences in overall warmth, conflict, rivalry, or relative power in the sibling relationship. Mothers of autistic children reported their children to have less warmth and closeness (F(1,72) = 5.63, p = .02, η2 = .073) and less conflict (F(1,72) = 6.66, p = .012, η2 = .085) with their siblings than mothers of typical children. More disagreement was found between mothers and children in the autism group than in the typical group. Mothers and children reported less intimacy and less quarreling between the siblings in the autism group than in the typical group. The qualitative analysis suggests that siblings focused on the present experience, while mothers also referred to processes in the sibling relationship. Interviewees in the autism group referred to various specificities in the siblingships without explicitly using the term "autism". The findings highlight a typical-like experience for siblings of autistic children. At the same time, mothers' perspectives emphasize differences and challenges in siblingships, reporting a pattern of decreased involvement. It is important to consider both perspectives in research and clinical work with families of autistic children.

Exploring the mechanisms explaining the quality of sibling relationships when children are taken into care: A qualitative study of Norwegian children

AbstractSibling relationships are potentially central in children's and young people's lives. Research has shown that the quality of sibling relationships changes in a variety of ways when a sibling(s) moves into care. There is limited understanding of the mechanisms that cause these changes. This study addresses this gap by reanalysing a dataset of 25 semistructured interviews with young people (16 to 23 years) drawn from a municipality in Southern Norway. The original study explored the changes in sibling relationships when the young person moved into care. This reanalysis of the data set explores specifically, using a template analysis, the mechanisms that children describe when exploring why these changes occur. Findings show the intricacies of the young person's social identification with the biological and/or foster family and how sharing a common identity may be key to the development of the sibling relationship when the young person(s) is taken into care. Our findings also show how key adults, such as foster parents and social workers, influence the relationship. The paper concludes with recommendations for social workers on how they may strengthen sibling relationships in families where children have been taken into care.

Sibling Relationship Dynamics in Families with a Child Diagnosed with a Chronic Mental Disorder versus a Somatic Condition

Recent research still focuses on the psychological impact on siblings and the problematic relationships in families with children with chronic illnesses. Our study evaluates the dynamics in sibling relationships in families with a child diagnosed with a chronic disease. We comparatively evaluated the degree of empathy, involvement, friendship, and rivalry in sibling relationships in two groups of families who have a child with a chronic pediatric disorder versus a chronic mental disorder. The levels of involvement/friendship, empathy/care/concern, and education/learning were significantly higher in the pediatric group. Where there were siblings under the age of 10, rivalry scores tended to be higher in both groups. Coping strategies, emphatic interactions, and implications in common activities are difficult to identify in the relationship between siblings when one of them has a chronic mental disorder. All of these negative aspects entail poor quality sibling relationships and draw alarm signals regarding the need for monitoring and intervention familial programs.

Family Cohesion and Positive Sibling Relationships in Families Raising a Child with or without a Disability

ABSTRACT Scant research exists regarding how family cohesion is related to relationships among siblings with and without disabilities. The purpose of this study, based upon the Double ABCX Model of Adaptation, was to investigate cohesion and sibling relationships in families raising typically developing siblings (TDC) and families raising children with some type of disability. Mothers and fathers of 221 sibling pairs completed demographic, family cohesion, and sibling relationships questionnaires. Paired t-tests, correlations, and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Mothers reported higher levels of family cohesion than fathers. Comparing families raising TDC with families raising a child with some type of disability, parents of TDC reported higher cohesion than parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); fathers of TDC reported higher cohesion than fathers of children with Down syndrome (DS). However, parents of TDC reported less positive sibling relationships than parents of DS. Higher levels of cohesion correlated with more positive sibling relationships. It was concluded that relationships exist between family cohesion and sibling relationships, and these perceptions differ between families raising children with or without disabilities. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Gifted but equal? Parents’ perspectives on sibling relationships in families with gifted and non-gifted children

ABSTRACT Childhood sibling relationships shape an individual’s interactions throughout life. To date, there have been only a few studies on sibling relationships in families with gifted and non-gifted children, and these have yielded mixed results. Based on the Family Systems Theory (FST) as a conceptual framework, specifically the homeostasis principle, the current study explores how parents in families with gifted and non-gifted children affect sibling relationships. Interviews with 40 parents of gifted children in Israel revealed three higher-order themes: differential equity, artificial equity, and situational equity. From an FST perspective, results suggest a preliminary typology that describes the parental contribution toward rebalanced sibling relationships. Despite good intentions, using artificial and situational strategies could provide unfavorable results for the gifted and the non-gifted children. The proposed typology may contribute toward developing a systemic theory of sibling relationships.

Quality of Parent-Child and Sibling Relationships in Families of Children with Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Quality of Parent-Child and Sibling Relationships in Families of Children with Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Sibling Cooperative and Externalizing Behaviors in Families Raising Children With Disabilities

Raising a child with a disability (CWD) in the home is increasing across the globe. Because of caregiver burden and the complexity of care, there is growing concern for typically developing sibling (TDS) outcomes. The aim of the study was to examine whether caregiver burden, parenting style, and sibling relationships in families raising a CWD are associated with cooperative and externalizing behaviors in TDS. This correlational study included 189 families raising both a CWD and a TDS. Multilevel modeling was used to identify which variables were most predictive of TDS outcomes and if there were parent gender effects. Authoritative parenting was positively associated with cooperative behaviors. Authoritarian parenting was positively associated with externalizing behaviors. Multilevel modeling revealed caregiver burden was a significant predictor of sibling behaviors in the first model. When parenting style was added as a predictor, it was also significant. When sibling relationships were added as predictors, they were significant predictors for both cooperative and externalizing TDS behaviors; however, caregiver burden was no longer significant. Authoritarian parenting significantly predicted externalizing behaviors, and authoritative parenting was significantly related to cooperative behaviors. In families raising a CWD, positive sibling relationships may help negate the effects of caregiver burden and are more predictive of TDS outcomes than some parenting practices.

Sibling Relationships of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Context of Everyday Life and a Strength-Based Program

This research examined mothers’ and sisters’ perceptions of sibling relationships in families with a brother with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the context of a strengths-based, family-focused 3D technology program designed for youth on the spectrum. Seven sisters and six mothers participated in semi-structured interviews, which were coded for emergent themes. Both similarities and differences between sisters’ and mothers’ perceptions of the sibling relationship emerged from the narratives. Sisters and mothers framed the sibling relationship differently within the context of everyday life activities compared to the context of their brother’s involvement in the technology program that highlighted his skills and abilities. Within the context of everyday life, sisters described the dual nature of their relationships, involving both positive and negative qualities, whereas mothers focused on the challenges in the sibling relationship. Both mothers and sisters identified the “sister” role in the sibling relationship as that of a nurturer. Within the context of the technology program, mothers and sisters both perceived the boys’ roles as shifting positively relative to the context of everyday life. Sisters spoke of a sense of pride in their brother’s accomplishments in 3D design, whereas mothers spoke about their children being more engaged with one another because of their shared interests in the program. We discuss implications for interventions with families with a child with ASD.

Caregiver burden and sibling relationships in families raising children with disabilities and typically developing children.

Using family systems theory as a theoretical framework, we investigated direct and indirect associations between type of disability, caregiver burden, and sibling relationships with structural equation modeling. We recruited 172 families raising typically developing children or a child with a disability. Participants volunteered at meetings and workshops for families of children with disabilities and were also recruited through snowball sampling. Mothers and fathers independently completed self-report questionnaires on caregiver burden and perceptions of the sibling relationship. Mothers experienced higher levels of caregiver burden than fathers. Parents of children with autism reported higher levels of caregiver burden than parents of typically developing children. Mothers of children with Down syndrome and multiple disabilities reported more positive sibling relationships than mothers of typically developing children. Mothers' and fathers' perceptions of caregiver burden were negatively related to their perceptions of the sibling relationship. Caregiver burden mediated the relationship between having a child with autism and positive sibling relationships. Results indicate the benefits of using a systems framework in examining families raising children with disabilities. Future research should focus on interventions for families of children with disabilities that help alleviate parental burden and foster positive sibling relationships.

Psychological Distress Among Sisters of Young Females With Eating Disorders

There is limited research on sibling relationships in families with an eating disorder (ED) child. The aim of the study was to examine the association between sibling relationships, sense of coherence, psychological distress and depression among healthy sisters of females with or without EDs. Participants were 60 females (13-31 years old): 30 who had a sister with an ED (study group) and 30 without (controls). Participants completed self-report questionnaires: depression, psychological distress, sibling relationships, and sense of coherence. Results showed that the study group had significantly higher levels of depression and negative sibling relationships than the control. A significant negative correlation was found between sense of coherence and depression. The study model shows that belonging to one of the groups, sense of coherence, and sibling relationships were significant predictors of the healthy sisters’ depression level. It is suggested that when sister has an ED, negative sibling relationships can influence the psychological condition of her healthy sister.

Parental Perceptions of Sibling Relationships in Families Rearing a Child With a Chronic Condition

This study examined sibling relationships in families raising children with autism, Down syndrome, orthopedic conditions, and diabetes. Parents from 108 families independently completed the 28-item Schaefer Sibling Inventory of Behavior. Parents rated siblings as very empathetic, fairly often kind and involved, and rarely avoidant. Mothers rated sibling empathy higher than fathers did and older siblings more avoidant than younger siblings. Fathers rated male siblings kinder than female siblings; they also rated siblings of children with Down syndrome or autism more kind and involved than siblings of children with orthopedic conditions or diabetes. Sibling intervention efforts should consider these findings and be individualized according to the need of each child and family.

Individual, family, and peer factors associated with the quality of sibling relationships in families of youths with spina bifida.

Based on a social-ecological theoretical framework, this study sought to identify key individual (attitude toward spina bifida), family (satisfaction with family functioning), and peer (peer support) factors associated with the quality of sibling relationships in families of youths with spina bifida. A cross-sectional sample of 224 siblings of youths with spina bifida, ages 11-18 years, and parents participated. Siblings completed self-report measures of attitude toward spina bifida, satisfaction with family functioning, peer support, and warmth and conflict in their relationships with brothers and sisters with spina bifida. The parent provided information on spina bifida severity and family demographics. Hierarchical regression analyses supported the overall model in explaining variance in sibling-reported relational warmth (Adjusted R(2) = .29) and conflict (Adjusted R(2) = .17). Satisfaction with family functioning was the only ecological factor consistently associated with warmth and conflict in the sibling relationship. Findings have clinical implications for pathways to support positive sibling interactions in families of youths with spina bifida.

Sibling Relationships in Families with Gifted Children

The aim of the study was to examine the attitude of non-gifted children to their gifted siblings as compared to their attitude to non-gifted siblings, and the effect of variables such as order of birth and the age difference between them. The research was carried out by means of in-depth interviews and the SRQ-Sibling Relations Questionnaire (Furman & Burhmester, 1985). The findings show that the relations between the non-gifted children and their gifted siblings, as reported by them, are less intimate than those reported by non-gifted children with their non-gifted siblings. They dislike their gifted siblings' ‘arrogance’ and they wish they had similar intellectual competence as their gifted siblings. Siblings in regular families express this far less. Non-gifted children are willing to learn from both older and younger gifted siblings; non-gifted children are willing to learn from non-gifted siblings only if they are younger. The frequency of arguments between the non-gifted children and their gifted siblings is greater the smaller the age difference between them.

What about Me? Siblings of Children with an Anxiety Disorder

Sibling relationships are enduring and influential and can have a profound impact on children's development (Dunn, 2000). Positive sibling relationships are associated with better friendships, higher self-esteem, and lower levels of loneliness, depression, and delinquent behaviors (Yeh & Lempers, 2004). Although there has been research on siblings of children with chronic illnesses, there has been limited research on the impact of children's anxiety disorders on the functioning of siblings (Lindhout et al., 2003). This lack of research is surprising because anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in children and adolescents, with an estimated six-month prevalence rate of 10.5% to 16.5% (Verhulst, van der Ende, Ferdinand, & Kasius, 1997). In addition, anxiety disorders tend to run in families (Skre, Onstad, Edvardsen, Torgersen, & Kringlen, 1994), and first-degree relatives, such as siblings, of a patient with an anxiety disorder are at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder compared with the general population (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). In addition to possible genetic risk factors, the family context may also be related to the development of anxiety disorders. For example, the quality of attachment to the caregiver is an important antecedent to a generalized psychological vulnerability to anxiety (Thompson, 1998). Parents of children with anxiety disorders may be overprotective, offer excessive reassurance, or engage in negative and adverse parent--child interactions, which may affect family functioning and sibling relationships (Eisen & Kearney, 1995). In addition, anxious children may perceive more differential treatment by parents than nonanxious children (Lindhout et al., 2003). The few studies of siblings of children with an anxiety disorder examined how the sibling relationship affects the anxious child or how the siblings interact (for example, Fox, Barrett, & Shortt, 2002; Hudson & Rapee, 2002). This limited research on sibling relationships in families with a child with an anxiety disorder has yielded inconsistent findings. Some research suggests that there may be no difference in perceived affection or hostility between siblings and children with an anxiety disorder (Lindhout et al., 2003). However, others have found that the interactions between siblings and children with an anxiety disorder were characterized by more conflict and control and less warmth as compared with a nonclinical control group and that the anxious children engaged in more controlling behaviors than the children in the control group (Fox et al.). Given the prevalence of anxiety disorders in children and the inconsistent findings in the research done to date, more research is needed on siblings of children with anxiety disorders. In this article, we describe an exploratory study aimed at examining the psychosocial functioning (that is, internalizing and externalizing behaviors) of children who have a sibling with an anxiety disorder. Because we found no descriptive research, the first purpose of this study was descriptive. We expected to find some of the sibling children suffering from an anxiety disorder because anxiety disorders tend to run in families (Skre et al., 1994). The second purpose of this study was to examine predictors of siblings' internalizing and externalizing behaviors. On the basis of the limited research available, gender, anxious child's diagnosis, length of treatment (used as a proxy for severity),interference in family functioning, and parental history of mental health diagnosis (Cobham, Dadds, & Spence, 1998) were examined. METHOD Sample and Procedure We used a one-time survey with a convenience sample. Data were collected on 65 siblings of anxious children. The anxious child's average age was 11.4 years (SD = 2.5); 36 (55%) were male and 29 (45%) were female. The average length of treatment was two years (SD = 2. …

Siblings and Out-of-Home Placement: Best Practices

This article is based on research and practice experience from projects and cases in both public child welfare agencies and private adoption agencies. Here, the authors summarize the research on sibling relationships, including a description of sibling relationships in families where children have been abused and neglected. The authors also discuss the barriers in child welfare that can result in the separation of siblings. Finally, they offer best practice solutions that support maintaining sibling relationships throughout temporary and permanent placement. An assessment tool to assist in the decision-making process for the placement of siblings is also included. This tool will help practitioners think systematically about the placement of siblings in order to make the best decisions.

Co-Twin, Peer, and Mother-Child Relationships and I.Q. in a Russian Adolescent Twin Sample

Two different traditions in psychology emphasize the study of twin-twin and mother-twin relationships. One line of research, the twin development approach, has compared parenting styles and sibling relationships in families with twin and singleton offspring. This research tradition is based on the assumption that twins, relative to singletons, may be at risk for developmental delays in motor, cognitive [1-3], linguistic [1,4,5], and social-emotional functioning [6,7] because of their increased rate of prematurity, lower birth weight [8-11], increased parenting demands that result in less interactive maternal speech [12-18], shared peer time [19], and other experiences that distinguish twins from singletons [7,8,19-21]. Although recent studies have not replicated the developmental concerns [22-26] or concerns about specific birth defects [27] that emerged from earlier studies comparing twins and singletons, there continues to be interest in the relational differences that may be present in twin and singleton families and in the need to address educational and social policies that promote twin development [28,29]. Within the framework of this approach, distinctions between twins and singletons have received more attention than distinctions between fraternal, dizygotic (DZ) and identical, monozygotic (MZ) twins.

Sibling relationships in families with congenitally impaired children.

Sibling relationships between school-aged children and their chronically impaired siblings have been studied infrequently. In this exploratory, descriptive study, 67 children (7 to 12 years old) and their mothers provided data about well-impaired sibling relationships. Three groups participated: 22 siblings and mothers of children with craniofacial anomalies, 20 siblings and mothers of children with cardiac anomalies, and 25 siblings and mothers of healthy children. Data were collected using the Sibling Inventory of Behavior and semistructured sibling and maternal interview guides. Quantitative data analysis revealed that the siblings of cardiac children tended to be kinder towards their siblings than siblings in the other two groups, with the normal comparison sibling group exhibiting the most avoidance and embarrassment towards their siblings. Qualitative data analysis indicated that both siblings and mothers in the combined illness group reported significantly less hostility and anger towards their impaired siblings than did the normal comparison siblings. All three sibling groups were actively involved in helping, protective, and play activities with their siblings.

Sibling Relationships in Families of Divorce

This paper considers the role of sibling relationships in families of divorce. The nature and functions of sibling relationships are first discussed in light of current research and family theory. This theoretical background is used to support the notion that sibling relationships are not only affected by divorce, but can also be an important resource in helping children through post-divorce adjustment. Several case studies are presented which provide support for this perspective. Finally, suggestions are made for the clinician interested in applying knowledge about siblings in the family therapy setting.