Support group programme for siblings of children with special needs: predictors of improved emotional and behavioural functioning

Abstract

Poorer emotional and behavioural functioning among participants and symptom severity of the child with special needs were associated with greater intervention effects. These results indicate that SibworkS is likely to be beneficial for siblings who have difficulties adjusting, and siblings of children with more severe special needs. Implications for Rehabilitation Siblings of children with disability are at increased risk of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Sibworks is a manualised group-based intervention for the siblings of children with a disability. Poorer emotional and behavioural functioning among participants and symptom severity of the child with special needs were associated with greater intervention effects. SibworkS is likely to be beneficial for siblings who have difficulties adjusting and siblings of children with more severe disabilities.

After the Visit: An Overview of Government and Community Programs Supporting Children with Medical Complexity

“…Involvement in support groups has been consistently found to positively impact the mental and emotional health of caregivers [19,26,27,28]. Fortunately, it is now easier than ever for parents to locate both in-person and online support networks through the internet.…”

How to Best Support Individuals Growing up with a Special Needs Sibling

“…Participants of the SibWorks support group who had a sibling with a more severe diagnosis experienced a greater benefit from the support group (Roberts, Ejova, Giallo, Strohm, & Lillie, 2016). It was also found that the emotional and behavioral functioning also increased with the group interventions.…”

“…However, there are limited publications about formalized safe spaces for neurotypical individuals to share their emotions and experiences. In studies done in Pakistan, Pennsylvania, Italy, and Great Britain, individuals who participated in a support group reported a higher acceptance of a SNS, in addition to higher self-concept and higher overall feeling of well-being (Dyson, 1998;Roberts et. al., 2016;Feinberg, 2013).…”

“…There are studies that have been done that have examined the sibling dynamic in addition to the success of support groups (Inam, et. al., 2017;Dyson, 1998;Roberts et. al., 2016).…”

“…SibWorks is based in Australia and follows a six-week model that focuses on individuals between the ages of 8 and 12. SibWorks focuses on a different theme each week and allows for activities in addition to ample opportunities for conversation for the participants (Roberts et al, 2016). Roberts et al (2016) concluded that the group intervention workshops would be beneficial for individuals who have a sibling with a severe disability and those who have difficulty adjusting to their sibling and their sibling's disability as a whole.…”