The well siblings of schizophrenics

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this research was to explore the impact of having a schizophrenic sibling. Fourteen siblings, aged 24 to 46, were interviewed. As a group, the subjects were functioning at high levels of adjustment. All had had a period in late adolescence in which they were separated from their families in surroundings that facilitated personal growth. Among older subjects, there followed a period of reinvolvement, including assuming responsibility for the ill sibling. Guilt was a predominant emotion in their lives. Variations in the intensity of guilt were most often related to ordinal position. Younger siblings, particularly if same-sexed, expressed guilt over being well, whereas older siblings expressed guilt over earlier sibling rivalry.