Developmental Disabilities: Effects on Well Siblings

BACKGROUND: Forty studies performed between 1970 and 1995 indicated that 60% of parents with children with developmental disabilities reported manifestations of increased risk or negative effects on the well siblings. METHOD: A secondary data analysis was performed using qualitative data gathered during the baseline of a randomized controlled clinical trial of an intervention for siblings/families of children with long-term conditions, including developmental disabilities. Content analysis was used to identify themes from responses of 151 parents to an open-ended question on their perceptions of the effects on well siblings of living at home with a brother/sister with developmental disabilities. RESULTS: Of 363 themes identified, 61.1% reflected negative manifestations of increased risk in well siblings; 1.7% indicated no risk; and 37.2% reflected positive outcomes, suggesting the continued need for potential interventions. CONCLUSION: Contemporary family life in these families, as portrayed by parents' descriptions, reflects need in child health care for more intervention research on this vulnerable population.