Siblings of Children with Mental Retardation Living at Home or in Residential Placement

Abstract

Severe retardation in a child surely has an effect on all family members. Studies of non-disabled siblings in these families have indicated both emotional risks and perceived benefits. Little is known about how out-of-home placement of the child with retardation affects the siblings. Adolescent siblings of children with retardation living at home (N = 25) or in residential placement (N = 20) were contrasted with siblings of children without retardation (N = 28), on measures obtained from their mothers and themselves. Despite their different situations, these siblings were highly similar on measures of psychological adjustment, self-esteem, and family environment. Sibling relationships, however, were less intense, with less warmth but also lower conflict, in families where the child lived out of the home. Most siblings of children with retardation reported positive personal growth experiences while also expressing realistic concerns about the future. Siblings of children with retardation had beliefs and attitudes about placement that were highly consistent with the child's current living situation.

Examining the Role of Communication on Sibling Relationship Quality and Interaction for Sibling Pairs With and Without a Developmental Disability

“…This self-report measure includes 48 items, (Buhrmester & Furman, 1990;Furman & Buhrmester, 1985). This measure also has a long history of use with siblings of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Begun, 1989;Eisenberg et al, 1998;Kaminsky & Dewey, 2001;McHale & Gamble, 1989).…”

Facilitators and Barriers to the Inclusion of Orally Educated Children and Youth with Hearing Loss in Schools: Promoting Partnerships to Support Inclusion

“…Several authors found that siblings of a child with a disability are more susceptible to psychological maladjustment than siblings of normally developing children (Bagenholm & Gillberg, 1991;Dyson, 1989), whereas others claim that these children are no more at risk of problems than other children (Lardieri, Blacher, & Swanson, 2000;Stewart, Stein, Forrest, & Clark, 1992;Taylor, Fuggle, & Charman, 2001) and that some of them even gain advantages from their exceptional situation (Knott, Lewis, & Williams, 1995;Mates, 1990;Sloper & While, 1996). This discrepancy can partially be explained by methodological problems such as small test groups, the lack of appropriate control groups and the use of indirect measures (Eisenberg, Baker, & Blacher, 1998;Fisman et al, 1996;Rodrigue et al, 1993;Roeyers & Mycke, 1995;Stallard, Mastroyannopoulou, Lewis, & Lenton, 1997).…”

Out-of-Home Placement for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities

“…23,24 Families have been found to make decisions regarding placement that are in the interest of maintaining the highest level of functioning of all family members. 25 However, not all families balance the demands of caring for their child with a disability similarly, as the context of other family needs may differ. 26 Hostyn and Maes 10 evaluated families who placed their children in residential settings and divided them into 4 groups.…”

“…The child with intellectual disability also continued to have an influence on family functioning, regardless of the place of residence. 25 Hostyn and Maes 10 found that parents generally did not regret their decision to place their child into a residential setting.…”