Sibling perspectives on schizophrenia and the family

Intensive audiotaped interviews with 14 adult siblings of schizophrenia patients were used to explore their experiences. Interviews focused on the ways adult siblings define and experience their sibling's mental illness and their participation in illness management. Cross-case analysis revealed that recognition of schizophrenia in a brother or sister was characterized by a pivotal, reorganizing event that redefined behavior previously viewed as difficult or different. Subjects' approach to the sibling's illness reflected three distinct patterns: collaborative, crisis-oriented, and detached. The impact of a mentally ill brother or sister on subjects' lives ranged from pervasive to discrete and was seen as emanating from the family and the sibling, but in different ways. These findings can help sensitize clinicians to the complex nature of sibling experiences as well as to the needs of siblings and their families.