Child, parent and family factors as predictors of adjustment for siblings of children with a disability

TLDR

Siblings of children with a disability experience diverse adjustment patterns, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and support. The study examined how child, parent, and family factors predict sibling adjustment outcomes. Forty‑nine siblings (aged 7–16) and their parents reported on daily hassles, uplifts, coping, parent stress, parenting, and family resilience, and the data were analyzed using multiple regression. Parent and family factors—such as socioeconomic status, prior sibling support group attendance, parent stress, family routines, problem‑solving, communication, and hardiness—were stronger predictors of sibling adjustment difficulties than the siblings’ own stress and coping, while perceived daily uplifts predicted prosocial behavior.

Abstract

Abstract Background Siblings adjust to having a brother or sister with a disability in diverse ways. This study investigated a range of child, parent and family factors as predictors of sibling adjustment outcomes. Methods Forty‐nine siblings (aged 7–16 years) and parents provided information about (1) sibling daily hassles and uplifts; (2) sibling coping; (3) parent stress; (4) parenting; and (5) family resilience. Multiple regression techniques were used. Results It was found that parent and family factors were stronger predictors of sibling adjustment difficulties than siblings’ own experiences of stress and coping. Specifically, socio‐economic status, past attendance at a sibling support group, parent stress, family time and routines, family problem‐solving and communication, and family hardiness‐predicted sibling adjustment difficulties. Finally, siblings’ perceived intensity of daily uplifts significantly predicted sibling prosocial behaviour. Conclusions The results revealed that the family level of risk and resilience factors were better predictors of sibling adjustment than siblings’ own experiences of stress and coping resources, highlighting the importance of familial and parental contributions to the sibling adjustment process. The implications of these results for the design of interventions and supports for siblings are discussed.