How do typically developing brothers and sisters accept their siblings with Down syndrome or autism? An examination...

Typically developing siblings' acceptance of a sibling with Down syndrome (DS) or autism influences the nature of sibling relations and their willingness to care for their sibling with disability in the future. Optimism is a central personality characteristic in coping with challenging life situations and the emotions toward the sibling with Down syndrome/autism are prominent in siblings' adjustment to their complex circumstances. The current study examined how optimism and emotions toward a sibling with Down syndrome or autism influence typically developing siblings' acceptance of their sibling with a disability. The role of demographic variables (sex of the typically developing sibling, diagnosis, and independent functioning of the sibling with disability) was also considered. Participants included 520 Jewish-Israeli siblings (189 brothers, 331 sisters, aged 18-27). Of these, 284 had siblings with Down syndrome, and 236 had siblings with autism. Siblings completed self-report questionnaires on optimism, emotions, and acceptance. Hierarchical regressions with three-way interactions revealed that optimism, sex, and the sibling's diagnosis and independent functioning explained a significant portion of variance in acceptance. The findings highlight the importance of fostering optimism and emotional processing, particularly for siblings of individuals with autism and among brothers. These results have implications for interventions aimed at improving sibling relationships and future caregiving.Lay AbstractBeing a brother or sister to an individual with Down syndrome or autism can shape how siblings feel about and care for their sibling with the disability. This study looked at how optimism (a general positive outlook) and emotions relate to accepting the individual with the disability. The study also considered whether the non-disabled sibling's gender, diagnosis (Down syndrome or autism), and level of independent capability of the sibling with the disability contributed to the acceptance levels. Participants in the study were 520 Jewish-Israeli young adults (ages 18-27) who had a sibling with Down syndrome or autism. They answered questions about their emotions, optimism, and acceptance of the sibling with the disability. The results showed that optimism and emotions were important for acceptance, but this varied depending on whether the typically developing sibling was male or female, whether the sibling had Down syndrome or autism, and their level of independent capability. These findings suggest that helping siblings, especially brothers of individuals with autism, build optimism and process their emotions, can improve sibling relationships and support future caregiving roles.