Sibling bond and coping with heredity in schizophrenia

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“…sie sich mit der/dem Erkrankten überfordert fühlen ± häufig früh in die Verantwortung (Elternrolle!) für das erkrankte Geschwister gedrängt werden, was nicht selten als sehr belastend und überfordernd von den gesunden Geschwistern erlebt wird [15,16] [21,22]. Mit diesen Fragen werden die Geschwister häufig alleine gelassen.…”

Siblings of Those With and Without Mental Illness: Differences in Life Decisions and Depressive Symptoms

“…The relationship can become closer with stronger sibling bonds (Marsh et al, 1996;Sin et al, 2008) or become less close as the target siblings distance themselves in order to obtain personal space and lessen the impact of the illness on their own lives (Barak & Solomon, 2005;Gerace et al, 1993;Stalberg, Ekerwald, & Hultman, 2003). Evidence suggests that having a close sibship compels target siblings to be involved and provide care (Greenberg et al, 1999), but that caregiving also creates great distress as caregiving can cause difficulties in balancing home responsibilities and personal ones (Jewell & Stein, 1999).…”

“…Evidence suggests that having a close sibship compels target siblings to be involved and provide care (Greenberg et al, 1999), but that caregiving also creates great distress as caregiving can cause difficulties in balancing home responsibilities and personal ones (Jewell & Stein, 1999). Conversely, while some target siblings choose to distance themselves in order to protect their well-being Karp & Watts-Roy, 1999;Stalberg et al, 2003;Stalberg, Ekerwald, & Hultman, 2004), the detachment itself can also negatively impact well-being. Indeed, online blogs (Tracy, 2010;Tracy, 2012) and research indicate that target siblings who have extremely distant sibships, or who are in the process of creating the distance, also experience great distress associated with separation issues.…”

“…Target siblings and siblings of those without mental illness both tend to use problem-focused coping strategies (e.g., cognitive restructuring, problem solving) (Bank & Khan, 1997;Barak & Solomon, 2005;Czipri, 2004;Friedrich, Lively, & Rubenstein, 2008;Kinsella, et al 1996). However, there is overwhelming evidence that target siblings are more likely to rely heavily on avoidance and emotion-focused coping strategies (Grace, Camilleri, & Ayres, 1993;Kinsella, et al 1996;Stalberg et al, 2003;Stalberg et al, 2004). While these strategies can potentially be effective for target siblings' immediate survival when they were children, they often result in unhealthy consequences for later functioning and well-being (e.g., Kinsella, et al 1996;Czipri, 2004).…”