Solveig M Kirchhofer1, Stian Orm2, Yngvild B Haukeland3, Trude Fredriksen2, Claire E Wakefield4, Krister W Fjermestad5. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Nic Waals Institutt, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Lovisenberg Hospital Trust, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: SolveigMelanie.Kirchhofer@lds.no. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway. 4. School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia; Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia. 5. Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Frambu Resource Centre for Rare Disorders, Nordre Follo, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social support is a protective factor for siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. AIMS: We reviewed studies on social support received by siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We conducted a pre-registered systematic review (CRD42020207686), searching PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Fifteen articles were eligible for the review, 13 of which used cross-sectional designs. Two studies investigated sibling social support after an intervention. Multiple variables were negatively related to social support (e.g., sibling depression, loneliness, stress). Variables that were positively related to social support included prosocial behavior, competence (academic, social, and activity-related), problem-focused coping, and family quality of life. Potential moderators of the relationship between social support and psychosocial adjustment included the type of disorder of the affected sibling and the type of social support provider. We conclude with an overview of the reliability and validity of the seven social support measurements used across the studies. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Lower levels of social support are associated with more negative psychosocial adjustment among siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. We encourage future researchers to further investigate ways to increase social support for siblings to improve outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Social support is a protective factor for siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. AIMS: We reviewed studies on social support received by siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We conducted a pre-registered systematic review (CRD42020207686), searching PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Fifteen articles were eligible for the review, 13 of which used cross-sectional designs. Two studies investigated sibling social support after an intervention. Multiple variables were negatively related to social support (e.g., sibling depression, loneliness, stress). Variables that were positively related to social support included prosocial behavior, competence (academic, social, and activity-related), problem-focused coping, and family quality of life. Potential moderators of the relationship between social support and psychosocial adjustment included the type of disorder of the affected sibling and the type of social support provider. We conclude with an overview of the reliability and validity of the seven social support measurements used across the studies. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Lower levels of social support are associated with more negative psychosocial adjustment among siblings of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. We encourage future researchers to further investigate ways to increase social support for siblings to improve outcomes.
Authors: John E Krzeczkowski; Terrance J Wade; Brendan F Andrade; Dillon Browne; Busra Yalcinoz-Ucan; Negin A Riazi; Elizabeth Yates; Andrea Tagalakis; Karen A Patte Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-15 Impact factor: 3.752