ERIC Number: EJ988314
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Mar
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1328-4207
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Sibling Voices: The Self-Reported Mental Health of Siblings of Children with a Disability
Giallo, Rebecca; Gavidia-Payne, Susana; Minett, Belinda; Kapoor, Aparna
Clinical Psychologist, v16 n1 p36-43 Mar 2012
Background: There is increasing interest in the experiences and well-being of siblings growing up with a brother or sister with a disability in Australia. However, research to date has primarily obtained parent reports of sibling adjustment and mental health. Therefore, the aim of the current study was threefold: (1) to report on the mental health of siblings using a self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); (2) to compare sibling mental health with Australian normative data on the SDQ; and (3) to identify socio-demographic and disability characteristics associated with sibling mental health difficulties. Methods: Participants were 52 siblings (aged 10-18 years) of children with varying disabilities. Results: Although siblings reported significantly more emotional and behavioural problems than a normative sample, the majority of siblings reported overall good mental health within the normal range on all SDQ subscales. Approximately 20-30% of siblings were identified as at-risk or in the clinical range for overall difficulties, hyperactivity-inattention, conduct and peer problems; and 15% at-risk or in the clinical range for emotional symptoms and prosocial behaviour. Socio-demographic and disability characteristics were not associated with mental health difficulties. Conclusions: A small proportion of siblings are at risk of emotional and behavioural problems. Implications for future research, policy, and clinical practice are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Mental Health, Hyperactivity, Foreign Countries, Siblings, Children, Disabilities, Well Being, Parent Attitudes, Measures (Individuals), Comparative Analysis, Correlation, Behavior Problems, Emotional Problems, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Prosocial Behavior, At Risk Persons
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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