While the importance of looking at the entire family system in the context of child and adolescent mental health is well recognised, siblings of children with mental health problems (MHPs) are often overlooked. The existing literature on the mental health of these siblings needs to be reviewed. A systematic search located publications from 1990 to 2011 in four electronic databases. Thirty-nine relevant studies reported data on the prevalence of psychopathology in siblings of target children with MHPs. Siblings of target children had higher rates of at least one type of psychopathology than comparison children. Risk of psychopathology varied across the type of MHP in the target child. Other covariates included sibling age and gender and parental psychopathology. Significant variations and limitations in methodology were found in the existing literature. Methodological guidelines for future studies are outlined. Implications for clinicians, parents, and for future research are discussed.

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Qualitative metasynthesis is an interpretive integration of primary qualitative research. It is a relatively new research methodology with questions remaining about utility, validity, and qualitative philosophical integrity. The aim of this article is to present an example of qualitative metasynthesis and to explore the utility, interpretive value, and clinical applications of metasynthesis in advancing our knowledge of the wellbeing and needs of siblings of children with mental health problems. An electronic search of publications from 1990 -2011 was conducted. Ten articles were included and analyzed using thematic synthesis and constant targeted comparison. Qualitative metasynthesis allowed novel interpretations beyond those found in primary research in terms of theoretical frameworks and clinical implications. In addition, qualitative metasynthesis produced findings greater in depth and consistency and with more direct clinical implications than primary research and quantitative reviews. Qualitative metasynthesis provides a pathway by which more conclusive, reliable, and generalizable findings are produced and interpretive power and clinical utility are increased. It represents a significant advancement in qualitative methodology with the potential to provide unique contributions to research, theory, and evidence-based practice.

The findings suggest that, for the vast majority, when siblings of children with MHPs are identified by their caregivers as having MHPs, they are receiving some kind of support and treatment. Implications for mental health service costs are discussed and recommendations for future research are outlined.