The relationship between parent-sibling communication and coping of siblings with death experience

Past studies have suggested that parents who can effectively communicate about subjects such as death and dying are most likely to help their child cope with illness and death. Most studies have focused on communication with the ill child and less attention has been paid to the sibling. As part of a larger study to investigate the effects of two types of terminal care on families of a child dying of cancer, this portion of the study focused on parent-sibling communication. It was hypothesized that increased communication would increase coping as manifested by fewer behavioral problems and more social competence in siblings. The tools used included the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) and the Parent-Sibling Communication instrument. Measurements were taken before and at 2 weeks, 4 months, and 12 months after the death of the ill child. One positive and four negative correlations were found. Parent-sibling communication was positively related to Social Competence before the ill child's death, and was inversely related to Total Behavior Problems following the death. Parent-sibling communication was also inversely related to External Behavior Problems after the ill child's death, to Internal Behavior Problems after the ill child's death, and to Internal Behavior Problems at the 4-month point after the death. The positive relationship between parent-sibling communication and Social Competence scores may reflect the sensitivity of parents to siblings' needs.