Introduction
Sibling relationships are important for our development and well-being, especially for autistic individuals who may face social challenges throughout life. But how do siblings of autistic children perceive their relationship? And how do their mothers see it? A new study investigates these questions and finds some surprising results.
The study
The study involved 29 typical children (average age 8.78 years) whose younger siblings have a diagnosis of autism and their mothers, who formed the ‘autism group’. It also involved 46 typical children (average age 9.12 years) with younger typical siblings and their mothers, who formed the ‘typical group’. The researchers asked the children and the mothers to complete questionnaires and interviews about the sibling relationship, focusing on four aspects: warmth and closeness, conflict, rivalry, and power.
The findings
The findings showed that the children’s reports were similar across groups, with no differences in the four aspects of the sibling relationship. This means that the siblings of autistic children felt as warm, close, conflicted, rivalrous, and powerful as the siblings of typical children. However, the mothers’ reports were different across groups. The mothers of autistic children reported less warmth and closeness and less conflict between their children than the mothers of typical children. They also disagreed more with their children’s reports than the mothers of typical children.
The researchers also analyzed the interviews and found that the children focused on the present experience of the sibling relationship, while the mothers also referred to the past and future processes. The interviewees in the autism group mentioned some specific features of the sibling relationship, such as the need for adaptation, the role of mediation, and the impact of autism, but they did not explicitly use the term ‘autism’.
The implications
The study suggests that the siblings of autistic children have a typical-like experience of their relationship, despite the challenges that autism may pose. They may not be aware of the differences and difficulties that their mothers perceive and report. The study also highlights the importance of considering both the children’s and the mothers’ perspectives in research and clinical work with families of autistic children, as they may have different needs and expectations.
FAQ
What are the benefits and challenges of having a sibling with autism?
Having a sibling with autism can have both positive and negative effects on the typical sibling. Some of the benefits are:
- Developing empathy, compassion, and tolerance for diversity
- Learning coping and problem-solving skills
- Having a close and supportive bond with the sibling
- Having a unique and enriching perspective on life
Some of the challenges are:
- Feeling neglected, isolated, or resentful
- Experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression
- Facing bullying, stigma, or discrimination
- Having difficulties in social and academic domains
How can parents and professionals support the siblings of autistic children?
Parents and professionals can support the siblings of autistic children by:
- Providing them with accurate and age-appropriate information about autism
- Encouraging them to express their feelings and concerns
- Involving them in the care and intervention of the sibling
- Acknowledging and rewarding their efforts and achievements
- Offering them opportunities for social and recreational activities
- Referring them to appropriate resources and services
What is the theoretical framework of this study?
The study is based on the ecological systems theory of Bronfenbrenner (1979), which posits that human development is influenced by multiple interacting systems, such as the family, the school, and the society. The study applies this theory to the sibling relationship in families of autistic children, considering how the individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors affect the quality and dynamics of the relationship.
How did the researchers measure the four aspects of the sibling relationship?
The researchers used two validated scales to measure the four aspects of the sibling relationship: the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ) and the Sibling Inventory of Behavior (SIB). The SRQ was completed by the children and the SIB was completed by the mothers. Both scales consist of items that assess the frequency and intensity of warmth and closeness, conflict, rivalry, and power in the sibling relationship.
What are the limitations of this study?
The study has some limitations that should be considered when interpreting the results. For example:
- The sample size was relatively small and not representative of the general population of families of autistic and typical children.
- The study only included families with younger siblings, not older siblings, which may affect the dynamics of the sibling relationship.
- The study relied on self-report measures, which may be influenced by social desirability, recall bias, or different interpretations of the questions.
- The study did not control for other factors that may affect the sibling relationship, such as the severity of autism, the gender of the siblings, or the family structure.
What are the implications of this study for practice and policy?
The study has some implications for practice and policy that could benefit families of autistic children. For example:
- The study suggests that the siblings of autistic children may need more support and guidance from their parents and professionals to cope with the challenges and opportunities of their relationship.
- The study indicates that the mothers of autistic children may benefit from psychoeducation and counseling to enhance their understanding and acceptance of their children’s perspectives and experiences.
- The study highlights the importance of involving both the children and the mothers in the assessment and intervention of the sibling relationship, as they may have different needs and goals.
How does this study contribute to the existing literature on the sibling relationship in families of autistic children?
This study contributes to the existing literature by:
- Comparing the perspectives of both the siblings and the mothers, which is rarely done in previous studies
- Using a mixed-methods approach, which provides a richer and deeper understanding of the sibling relationship than using only quantitative or qualitative methods
- Focusing on the four aspects of the sibling relationship (warmth and closeness, conflict, rivalry, and power), which are often overlooked or combined in previous studies
- Examining the sibling relationship in families with younger autistic siblings, which are underrepresented in previous studies
What are the recommendations for future research?
The study offers some suggestions for future research that could extend and improve the knowledge of the sibling relationship in families of autistic children. For example:
- The study recommends conducting longitudinal research to examine the changes and development of the sibling relationship over time.
- The study suggests exploring the sibling relationship in families with older autistic siblings, as well as in families with more than two siblings.
- The study proposes investigating the sibling relationship in different cultural and socio-economic contexts, as well as in relation to other family variables, such as parental stress, marital quality, and family functioning.
Source:
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10803-023-06222-0.pdf