Siblings of children with severe handicaps.

Interviews with 24 children ages 9 to 13 about life with their younger siblings who had severe handicaps revealed a consistently high level of involvement, strong feelings of responsibility, and an emphasis on positive aspects of family life. Hardships were not denied, but these children appeared to be faring better than children studied in earlier research, before schooling for children with handicaps and other supports for their families were mandated.