Siblings of handicapped children: A review

Abstract

Research is critically reviewed and evaluated, first, in order to determine if the presence of a handicapped child in a family uniquely affects the nonhandicapped siblings, and, second, to identify factors mediating the nature and power of those effects. In addition, projects involving sibling therapy, education, and training are described. Currently there are few well-controlled empirical investigations supporting the popular belief that, as a group, siblings are adversely affected by their handicapped brothers or sisters. Rather, only certain siblings appear to be vulnerable to negative reactions, depending on such factors as sibling sex and birth order, family socioeconomic status, and parental responses to the handicapped child. Recommendations are offered for improved research strategies and questions and for the careful evaluation of future educational and support services for siblings.

Adults with Mental Retardation and Their Aging Mothers: Impacts of Siblings

“…There has been a considerable amount of research on the psychological effects on young children of having a brother or sister with mental retardation, chronic illness, or other types of handicaps (Breslau, 1982;Drotar & Crawford, 1985;Gath, 1972;Lobato, 1983;Poznanski, 1969;San Martino & Newman, 1974;Trevino, 1979). In general, the results of this research suggest that some siblings of children with chronic handicapping conditions are at risk for emotional morbidity, at least during the early childhood and adolescent period.…”

“…The risk is assumed to be related largely to the differential amounts of time invested by parents in siblings with such varying needs, the propensity for increased caregiving responsibilities expected of nonhandicapped siblings (particularly older girls), the family's socioeconomic status, and the psychological impacts on siblings of anxiety or guilt concerning the etiology of their sibling's handicaps (Begun, 1989). Lobato (1983) suggests that predicting whether a sibling is at risk may be complicated. "It is difficult to support the position that siblings are, of necessity, negatively affected by the experience.…”

Social Skills and Behavior Problems in Children with Disabilities with and without Siblings

“…The literature has been contradictory and has mainly included CWD with low-incidence, high severity diagnoses such as mental retardation, physical disabilities, and autism. 11 With regard to the impact of the CWD on the sibling, some have found no differences in siblings of CWD and controls, 12−14 and some have found the siblings to be negatively affected. 14−16 In a more recent study, the nature and severity of the diagnosis of the sibling with a disability has been the determining factor in the typically developing sibling's adjustment.…”

Siblings of handicapped children: A group support program

“…In families where there is a handicapped child, interactions (positive and negative) can be more intense as the needs of the special child are met (Craft, 1979);Edmundson, 1985;Lobato, 1983;Simeonsson and McHale, 1981). There is an unspoken rule that siblings should love one another all the time despite the reality of sibling rivalry.…”