Adolescents have more cognitive capacity to understand the sibling’s disability and presented symptoms, as well as a higher ability to help parents in taking care of sick siblings (
Ferraioli & Harris, 2009); thus
they often may be identified as “young carers” (
Burke, 2004).
Taking too much time taking care of a disabled sibling and engaging in doing housework are often an additional responsibility that a healthy child must take on, which may result in emotional problems, or even maladjustment (
Mandleco & Webb, 2015;
Takataya et al., 2019). These expectations also make it
necessary for a healthy child to mature more quickly than would be the case if they did not have a disabled sibling (
Burke, 2004). Research also indicates that
adolescent siblings of a disabled child exhibit higher levels of depression, anxiety, and other internalizing behaviors (
Caliendo et al., 2020;
Lovell & Wetherell, 2016)
, as well as externalizing behaviors (
Burke, 2004;
Stephenson et al., 2017). A growing body of research also suggests that
siblings of disabled children are bullied at school and have difficulties in relations with peers (
Becker & Sempik, 2019; Pit-Ten Cate & Loots, 2000).
On the other hand, previous studies have shown that having a disabled sibling may also have many positive outcomes. Siblings of children with Down syndrome present more empathy and kindness than siblings of children without any disability (
Cuskelly & Gunn, 2003;
Roper et al., 2014). Furthermore, an increase in self-esteem, sincerity, self-control and more helping behaviors are also reported in siblings of disabled children (
Kaminsky & Dewey, 2001;
Takataya et al., 2019). They also may experience positive feelings – satisfaction and pride according to helping the family to take care of a disabled sibling (
Pilowsky et al., 2004), higher tolerance and understanding (
Mulroy et al., 2008).
Links are not archives but direct links to additional research. Emphasis and yellow text are my own.
Source is Łada-Maśko, Sajewicz-Radtke, Radtke, Lipowska. The role of family and individual factors in going through adolescence having a disabled sibling - analysis of a healthy child's functioning. A case-control study protocol. Health Psychol Rep. 2024 Mar 5;12(2):173-181. doi: 10.5114/hpr/183546. PMID: 38628281; PMCID: PMC11016945.