Psychological adaptation of siblings of chronically ill children: research and practice implications

Studies of the psychological adjustment of physically healthy siblings to their sibling's chronic illness indicate that there is no one-to-one correspondence between the presence of a chronic illness and risk for psychological disturbance in nonafflicted children. Although the presence of a chronic illness may increase siblings' subjective distress, effects of a chronic illness on the psychological adjustment of siblings are selective and vary with age, sex, and type of illness. Chronic illness is a stressor which, in interaction with other variables, may contribute to increased risk of psychological disturbance for some siblings. Although the variables which mediate the effects of a chronic illness on siblings are as yet poorly understood, the quality of family functioning and relationships has both direct and indirect effects on siblings and deserves primary consideration in the comprehensive care of chronically ill children. Future research might profitably focus on individual differences in sibling adaptation, especially on factors which contribute to positive adjustment, the role of the family context as a mediating influence, and evaluation of preventive interventions designed to enhance sibling adaptation.