Short report: Siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, a phenomenological perspective on parental
Miriam Paola Pili1, Serena Grumi2, Carola Isella3
1Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Insights
Parents shared insights into the experiences of siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The study highlights the complex fraternal relationships and challenges these siblings face growing up.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) face increased risk of psychosocial difficulties.
- Understanding the sibling experience is crucial for family well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of siblings of children with NDD from their parents' perspectives.
- To explore the impact of a sibling's NDD on the typically developing child's life.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
- Semi-structured videoconference interviews with ten parents (seven mothers, three fathers) of children aged 12-15.
- Interviews were independently coded by trained personnel.
Main Results:
- Thematic analysis revealed three core themes: 'The complexity of the fraternal relationship', 'Growing up with diversity', and 'Me as a sibling'.
- Twelve sub-themes emerged, detailing the nuances of sibling relationships, adaptation to diversity, and self-perception.
Conclusions:
- Provides valuable parental insights into the lived experiences of siblings of children with NDD.
- Increases awareness of the everyday challenges faced by families with a child with NDD.
- Contributes to the limited qualitative research on this topic, using IPA for in-depth understanding.
Background:
Siblings, typically developing brothers and sisters of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), are at risk for long-term psychosocial difficulties.
Objective:
The present study aims at obtaining an in-depth insight on the lived experience of siblings of children with NDD through their parents' perspective.
Methods:
Seven mothers and three fathers who signed up their sibling children (12-15 years) to a peer-support intervention participated in a semi-structured videoconference interview according to the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted by trained personnel and independently coded.
Results:
Thematic analysis highlighted three core themes and twelve sub-themes: "The complexity of the fraternal relationship" (three sub-themes), "Growing up with diversity" (six sub-themes), and "Me as a sibling" (three sub-themes).
Conclusions:
The study provides insight on parents' perception of the lived experience of their sibling children, thus spreading awareness on the everyday difficulties families with a child with NDD may encounter.
What This Paper Adds:
The present study contributes to the scarce literature on the lived experience of siblings of children with NDD, and notably it is one of the few qualitative studies on the topic which makes use of an IPA interviewing style. This methodological choice allowed for an in-depth understanding of siblings' strengths and struggles as perceived by their own parents, and of how their brother/sister's condition impacted on their family role, socio-emotional development and personality. Recounting siblings' experiences contributes in spreading awareness on the everyday difficulties siblings and their families face when cohabitating with a child with NDD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
01:25Factors Affecting Perception
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
02:34Empathy
01:28Perception
Bottom-up processing begins at the sensory level, where receptors detect external environmental stimuli. These could include the tactile sensation of...