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PubMed1988

Childcare responsibilities, peer relations, and sibling conflict: older siblings of mentally retarded children.

Household and childcare responsibilities, peer contacts, and out-of-home activities of older same-sex siblings of mentally retarded children as compared to a group of matched nonhandicapped children were examined. Older siblings of retarded children, particularly older sisters, assumed multiple caretaking responsibilities. For these siblings, increased childcare responsibilities were associated with sibling conflict and decreased opportunities for peer contacts and out-of-home activities. As a group, however, siblings of retarded children did not differ from their agemates in frequency of contact with friends or participation in out-of-home activities. Retarded younger siblings had less contact with friends than did their nonhandicapped agemates. Within-group differences appeared to be more important in understanding sibling risk status than whether the child had a younger retarded sibling.

Child↗

PubMed2001

Treatment demands and differential treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis and their siblings: patient, parent and sibling accounts.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive disease with no known cure. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have resulted in patients living longer and thus families live with the illness for longer. Treatments are becoming increasingly demanding and are largely performed in the family home. Mothers are often reported to experience greater stress and poorer adjustment than mothers of well children or population norms. Patients and siblings are also reported to display adjustment difficulties. Siblings have rarely been included in research designs. This qualitative study investigates the impact of CF and treatment on eight patients, eight mothers, one father and eight siblings. A family systems perspective was adopted. Each individual was interviewed independently using semistructured interviews. Patients and siblings were aged between 9 and 21 years. Qualitative analyses revealed high levels of non-adherence (intentional and unintentional) and parental involvement in treatment, minimal involvement of siblings, and preferential treatment towards patients. Demanding treatment, coupled with the progressive nature of CF, promote high levels of parental involvement for younger children as well as older teenagers, often due to attempted or actual non-adherence. Siblings may receive less attention while patients' needs take priority. Future development of a measure of adherence suitable for children and adolescents should take into account different motivations for non-adherence, particularly regarding the level of personal control over adherence to treatment. In addition, the potential impact of having a brother or sister with CF should not be underestimated and the needs of siblings should not go unnoticed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1988

Social-emotional adaptation and infant-mother attachment in siblings: role of the mother in cross-sibling consistency.

We investigated concordance in social-emotional behavior and attachment of first- and secondborn siblings from 65 families. Both children were seen at 24 months in a problem-solving procedure and at 12 months in the Strange Situation. Maternal behavior at 24 months also was examined. Child behaviors at 24 months showed trends toward concordance across siblings. Maternal behavior was significantly stable across siblings and correlated significantly with child competence. In post-hoc analyses, the sample was split into 2 groups: maternal behavior stable (N = 36) and maternal behavior unstable. In the first group, cross-sibling correlations were significant and larger than for the whole sample; in the second group, cross-sibling correlations were low and nonsignificant. There also was significant concordance across siblings in attachment classification. These data suggest that it is essential to consider the care received by different children in investigating similarities in siblings' behavior.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2002

Adult sibling expressed emotion and fellow sibling deviance: a new piece of the family process puzzle.

Seventy-three older siblings were assessed in early adulthood with the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) measure of expressed emotion. Sibling critical expressed emotion was linked with younger brother concomitant and future antisocial behavior, substance use, deviant peer association, increased rate of criminal arrests, and early onset sexual activity. Siblings of younger brothers with behavior problems were also more likely to be critical of, and to report negative relationships with, these brothers than were siblings of well-adjusted brothers. Sibling critical expressed emotion also predicted younger brothers' maladjustment 1-2 years later, after controlling for earlier sibling conflict and parent discipline. The findings accentuate the importance of understanding the influence of intrafamilial processes in the etiology of behavior problems.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

At issue: siblings of patients with schizophrenia: sibling bond, coping patterns, and fear of possible schizophrenia heredity.

Siblings of schizophrenia patients are from the patient's perspective important support providers, but most studies on family burden have focused on the parental role. This study aims to develop a detailed analysis of the psychological aspects of having a sibling with schizophrenia. We did a qualitative study with audiotaped semistructured interviews of 16 siblings. The reliability of the inductive categorization of data was high. A unifying theme appeared to be an emotional sibling bond characterized by feelings of love, sorrow, anger, envy, guilt, and shame. The major categories linked to coping with the situation were avoidance, isolation, normalization, caregiving, and grieving. A third major theme consisted of a fear of possible schizophrenia heredity. The siblings described concerns about the impact of a family history of psychiatric illness, a fear of becoming mentally ill, and reflections about "bad genes." Our findings support earlier findings of coping patterns but complement them by providing a model that includes awareness of genetic vulnerability as an important part of siblings' subjective burden.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1994

Sibling adaptation to childhood cancer collaborative study: prevalence of sibling distress and definition of adaptation levels.

A multisite collaborative study assessed the frequency and intensity of emotional/behavioral distress in siblings of children with cancer. A sample of 254 siblings, aged 4 to 18 years, and their parents completed interviews and self-report measures 6 to 42 (average 22.5) months after diagnosis of cancer in a brother or sister. Matched controls were obtained from respondents to the Child Health Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey administered in 1988 (CHS88). Before diagnosis, the prevalence of parent-reported emotional/behavioral problems among siblings was similar to that in the general population (7.7% vs 6.3%; p = not significant). After diagnosis, prevalence rose to 18% among siblings. When siblings were grouped according to the presence or absence of problems exacerbated by and/or arising after diagnosis, four levels of adaptation, consistent with scores on the Behavior Problem Scales from the CHS88, emerged. This differentiation may help explain inconsistencies in sibling response reported previously and provides a framework for investigating factors that enhance adaptation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Well sibling psychological adjustment to chronic physical disorder in a sibling: how important is maternal awareness of their illness attitudes and perceptions?

The psychological adjustment of healthy siblings was investigated in relation to their attitudes and perceptions about their brother's or sister's chronic physical disorder, to their mothers' awareness of these attitudes and perceptions, and to three other maternal factors (maternal distress, maternal social support, and amount of care demanded by the physical disorder). Sixty-two well siblings and mothers of children with a range of chronic physical disorders completed standardised questionnaires. The majority of siblings did not appear to have adjustment problems, although the sample had slightly increased rates of emotional symptoms compared to the general population. Mothers rated well siblings as having more negative attitudes and perceptions about the physical disorder than reported by siblings themselves. A multiple regression analysis indicated that better sibling adjustment was associated with higher maternal awareness of their attitudes and perceptions. These findings support Varni and Wallander's (1998) model that emphasises the role of relationship and attitude variables in child adjustment to chronic physical disorder. The implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1997

Behavior changes exhibited by siblings of pediatric oncology patients: a comparison between maternal and sibling descriptions.

The purpose of this study was to identify the coping strategies used by the well siblings of pediatric oncology patients as identified by both the mother and the well siblings. The findings of this research study showed that both mothers and the well siblings were able to identify behavioral changes (95.2% of the mothers and 85.7% of the well siblings identified behavior changes). Behavior changes identified by both the siblings and mothers included being more sensitive to the needs of others, being more thoughtful, playing with friends, fighting, trouble sleeping, and complaints of headaches. Nurses can conduct thorough assessments of sibling behavior changes when a child family member has been diagnosed with cancer. From these assessments, nurses can provide care to assist the entire family during the ill child's treatment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2002

Hyperglycaemic siblings of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients have increased PAI-1, central obesity and insulin resistance compared with their paired normoglycaemic sibling.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: First-degree relatives of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients in cross-sectional studies have increased insulin resistance, associated cardiovascular risk factors and abnormalities of fibrinolysis and coagulation. To minimise between-family genetic and environmental confounders, we investigated within-family relationships between early hyperglycaemia and risk factors. METHODS: Thirteen age and gender matched sibling pairs of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients, one hyperglycaemic, one normoglycaemic (fasting plasma glucose at screening 6.0-7.7 mmol.l(-1) and < 6.0 mmol.l(-1), respectively) were assessed for plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA), fibrinogen, Factor VII and Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor antigen. Fasting lipid profiles, blood pressure and HOMA insulin sensitivity (%S) were also measured in siblings and in matched subjects without family history of diabetes. RESULTS: Hyperglycaemic and normoglycaemic siblings (7 female, 6 male) were aged, mean (SD) 56.8 (8.7) and 55.8 (8.4) years. Hyperglycaemic siblings had increased PAI-1 antigen, geometric mean (i.q.r.): 26.3 (15.1-45.6) vs 11.1 (2.1-23.3) ng/ml, p=0.0002, similar t-PA antigen, mean (SD) 9.5 (4.3) vs 7.4 (2.5) ng/ml, p=0.2 and fibrinogen 2.2 (0.3) vs 2.3 (0.6) g/l, p=0.5, and reduced %S 66.3 (30.5) vs 82.9 (25), p=0.04. PAI-1 correlated negatively with %S ( r=-0.55, p=0.005). No significant differences were found in blood pressure or fasting lipids. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: A minor increase in plasma glucose in non-diabetic sibling pairs of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients was associated with reduced insulin sensitivity, increased central adiposity and a doubling of PAI-1 antigen concentration, suggesting impaired fibrinolysis. It is possible that this could contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in these subjects.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed1995

Sibling adaptation to childhood cancer collaborative study: siblings' perceptions of the cancer experience.

Investigated responses of siblings (N = 254) of children with cancer to structured interviews designed to elicit thoughts and feelings about effects of cancer on self and family. Siblings indicated distress about family separations and disruptions, lack of attention, focus of family on the ill child, negative feelings in themselves and family members, cancer treatments and their effects, and fear of death. Siblings also reported becoming more compassionate, families becoming closer, and having experiences they otherwise would not have had. Age and gender differences in responses indicated distinctive perceptions of and vulnerability to the cancer experience. Older siblings were far more likely to report positive effects than younger siblings suggesting that level of maturity can moderate the stress of an ill child within the family.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1992

Contemporaneous and longitudinal associations of sibling conflict with family relationship assessments and family discussions about sibling problems.

The first purpose of this study was to examine contemporaneous and longitudinal associations of maternal and paternal measures of family functioning with observational and self-report assessments of sibling conflict. The second purpose was to determine whether the ways in which families attempt to solve siblings' problems are associated with contemporaneous and longitudinal assessment of sibling conflict. The results indicate that paternal equality of treatment and family harmony during family discussions about sibling problems, as well as parents' perceptions of family cohesiveness, are associated with lower sibling conflict levels.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Why are siblings so different? The significance of differences in sibling experiences within the family.

Siblings, who are 50% similar genetically and grow up within the same family, nevertheless differ markedly in personality and psychopathology, and most of these sibling differences cannot be explained by genetic factors. These findings from the field of behavioral genetics imply that within-family processes that lead to sibling differences, called nonshared environment, are crucial for understanding environmental influences on individual development. Such nonshared environmental influences cannot be identified by the conventional strategy of comparing one child per family on a family-by-family basis; what is needed are studies of siblings that focus on why they are so different. The implications of these findings for investigating family process are outlined, and research is reviewed that explores the extent to which siblings in a family have different experiences, and that begins to assess links between such differential experiences and developmental outcomes.

Family↗

PubMed2003

Sibling relationships of children with Down syndrome: perspectives of mothers, fathers, and siblings.

Fifty-four siblings of children with Down syndrome and their parents and an individually matched group of comparison children and parents provided data about the quality of sibling relationships. There were no group differences in parental reports, but siblings of children with Down syndrome reported less unkindness and, if in a same-sex dyad, more empathy than did comparison children. There were differences between same-sex and opposite-sex dyads regarding avoidance and frequency of sibling positive and negative interactions. There were no group or sex differences in children's reports of their interactions with parents or contribution to household chores. Siblings of a child with Down syndrome participated in more caregiving activities. Caregiving was associated with empathy and involvement on the relationship questionnaire.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Sibling Adaptation to Childhood Cancer Collaborative Study: the association of sibling adaptation with maternal well-being, physical health, and resource use.

This multi-institutional study investigated the association of behavioral/emotional adaptation among siblings of children with cancer with maternal general well-being, physical health, and resource use. One hundred seventy siblings and mothers completed standardized interviews and self-report measures 6 to 42 months after the cancer was diagnosed. As a group, mothers of children with cancer reported significantly lower levels of well-being than matched controls. When stratified according to the level of the sibling's behavioral/emotional adaptation, mothers of siblings in the Dysfunctional group (1) reported the lowest levels of well-being; (2) during the preceding year, were more likely to have sought professional services than mothers of children in the Resilient group; and (3) were least likely to have found social support helpful. Our results support an association between maternal well-being and sibling adjustment but show it is unlikely that nonspecific social support will improve adjustment. The rationale for problem-solving training for mothers is provided.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of dependent-care activities for well siblings of children with cystic fibrosis and well siblings in families without children with chronic illness.

The purpose of this study was to determine if well siblings in families with a child with cystic fibrosis receive less dependent care, as defined by Orem, than well siblings in families without children with chronic illness. Nineteen mothers of children with cystic fibrosis and a well sibling and 19 mothers of only well children completed the Dependent Care Agent Instrument. In this population, no significant differences were found in a mother's performance of dependent-care activities for well siblings of children with cystic fibrosis and well siblings in families without children with a chronic illness. The possibility of a difference in a child's and mother's perception of parenting and the use of a questionnaire to study parenting is discussed. The implication that the child's perception of dependent care received is overlooked by focusing only on the mother's perception warrants further consideration.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sibling Peer Support Group for young people with a sibling using drugs: a pilot study.

Siblings of young people abusing drugs are at particular risk for drug abuse and other health compromising behaviors. A Sibling Peer Support Group was developed by the Centre for Adolescent Health (Melbourne, Australia) for young people aged 13 to 18 years with a problematic drug user in their family. Groups aimed to provide support and information, promote harm minimization, and reduce the sense of isolation. The project emanated from the recognized need for specific support for adolescent siblings of problematic drug users. Evaluation of two pilot groups indicated positive benefits for group members, who reported feeling better informed, more supported, and having a reduced sense of isolation. Parents reported that their adolescent attending the group demonstrated improved communication with, and greater understanding and tolerance of, the family member using drugs. Promising indicators at a community level were manifested in enthusiastic collaboration among schools, police and local service agencies, and the organization of a local drug forum. There appeared to be little evidence that the groups inadvertently encouraged drug use. Recruitment of young people into groups was the major challenge for the project, but among drug and alcohol and family organizations there was support for the concept of a Sibling Peer Support Group. A new model to overcome the challenge of recruitment is proposed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Sibling thumb sucking. Effects of treatment for targeted and untargeted siblings.

In this study, removal of a transitional object (pillow) was applied as the sole intervention for one of two siblings who sucked their thumbs. The intervention was applied only to the older sibling, whereas data were collected on the thumb sucking of both participants. Results indicated that removal of the transitional object for the older sibling reduced thumb sucking in both siblings and increased thumb sucking when the pillow was reintroduced. Discussion focuses on possible explanations for the effects of the intervention across both participants and the limitations of this study.

Behavior Therapy↗

PubMed1989

Trends in sibling correlations for height and weight: the effect of age changes (0-24 months) and spacing between siblings (0-10 years).

Familial correlations were studied in a sample of 618 sibships from a western neighborhood of Jerusalem, whose height (H) and weight (W) were measured longitudinally at the same age, from birth to 3 years of age. Covariate adjustments were applied to correct for change in mean of H and W with the sex of child and age of mother and for the effect of origin, education, and socioeconomic status of the mother, parity, and calendar year at birth. The highest sibling correlations were observed at birth or 1 month later (r = 0.45-0.46). Pooled sibling correlations were lower 6 months later (r = 0.33; r = 0.26 for H and W, respectively) and tended to increase again 12-18 months after birth. A clear trend of decline in sib-sib correlation for H and W measured 3 and 12 months after birth with increased spacing between siblings was observed. Our data provide evidence for transient environmental factors as possible sources of the observed temporal variation in sibling correlation for height and weight.

Birth Weight↗