The influences of prosocial behavior and family factors on future caregiving intentions among adolescent neurotypical siblings' of autistic individuals

Neurotypical siblings (NSs) of autistic individuals provide an important source of care to autistic siblings, yet not all NSs are willing to provide this support. Thus, there is a need to better understand the factors that influence NSs' intentions to provide care. Therefore, the present study examined adolescent NSs' intentions to provide future care for their autistic sibling. Specifically, the authors examined the associations between NS–autistic sibling relationship quality and NS caregiving intentions, NS prosocial behavior directed toward the mother and NS caregiving intentions, and the moderating effects of mothers' expectations for NS caregiving, using observational methods and self-report measures among a sample of 48 adolescent NSs and their mothers. The results of regression analyses revealed that better NS–sibling relationship quality was associated with higher NS caregiving intentions. The findings underscore the importance of the NS–sibling relationship for NS caregiving intentions.