Donald Sharpe1, Lucille Rossiter. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Sasketchewan, Canada. sharped@uregina.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the literature pertaining to the siblings of children with a chronic illness. METHODS: Fifty-one published studies and 103 effect sizes were identified and examined through meta-analysis. RESULTS: We found (1) a modest, negative effect size statistic existed for siblings of children with a chronic illness relative to comparison participants or normative data; (2) heterogeneity existed for those effect sizes; (3) parent reports were more negative than child self-reports; (4) psychological functioning (i.e., depression, anxiety), peer activities, and cognitive development scores were lower for siblings of children with a chronic illness compared to controls; and (5) a cluster of chronic illnesses with daily treatment regimes was associated with negative effect statistics compared to chronic illnesses that did not affect daily functioning. CONCLUSIONS: More methodologically sound studies investigating the psychological functioning of siblings of children with a chronic illness are needed. Clinicians need to know that siblings of children with a chronic illness are at risk for negative psychological effects. Intervention programs for the siblings and families of children with a chronic illness should be developed.
OBJECTIVE: To review the literature pertaining to the siblings of children with a chronic illness. METHODS: Fifty-one published studies and 103 effect sizes were identified and examined through meta-analysis. RESULTS: We found (1) a modest, negative effect size statistic existed for siblings of children with a chronic illness relative to comparison participants or normative data; (2) heterogeneity existed for those effect sizes; (3) parent reports were more negative than child self-reports; (4) psychological functioning (i.e., depression, anxiety), peer activities, and cognitive development scores were lower for siblings of children with a chronic illness compared to controls; and (5) a cluster of chronic illnesses with daily treatment regimes was associated with negative effect statistics compared to chronic illnesses that did not affect daily functioning. CONCLUSIONS: More methodologically sound studies investigating the psychological functioning of siblings of children with a chronic illness are needed. Clinicians need to know that siblings of children with a chronic illness are at risk for negative psychological effects. Intervention programs for the siblings and families of children with a chronic illness should be developed.
Authors: Susan L Ryerson Espino; Erin H Kelly; Anne Rivelli; Kathy Zebracki; Lawrence C Vogel Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2017-11-30 Impact factor: 2.772