Siblings of chronically ill children: a question of vulnerability versus resilience

The study of siblings of chronically ill brothers or sisters would benefit from a change in perspective. Research in the last decade still framed studies from the perspective of vulnerability rather than resilience. Having benefited from these studies, the study questions need to be reframed. Because childhood chronicity is a given, identifying risk factors for both able-bodied brothers and sisters as well as disabled children can reduce negative outcomes for these children and their parents. Many children are living successfully with disabled siblings, and their success should be the focus of current research so that appropriate interventions can be initiated.