A Study of the Wellbeing of Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Sibling Efficacy, Positive and Negative Affect, and Coping Strategies

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include pervasive developmental disorders characterised by communication deficits, difficulty with social understanding, and repetitive behaviors. Few studies have compared the efficacy, affect, and coping strategies of siblings of typically developing children with siblings of children with ASD. Typically developing siblings are understood to be at an increased risk of externalising and internalising problems. The current study examined whether siblings of children with ASD differed in levels of efficacy, affect, and coping from siblings of typically developing children. Participants (156) included an Australia-wide sample involving 82 siblings of children with ASD, and 74 siblings of typically developing individuals. Participants completed The Self-Efficacy Scale for Children (assessing social, emotional, and academic efficacy), the Positive and Negative Affect Scales, the Brief COPE Scale, and other scales as part of the larger study. Results showed that ASD siblings reported lower scores on emotional efficacy, social efficacy, and positive affect, and higher negative affect, than did the comparison group siblings. However, no significant differences were found in coping strategies or academic efficacy between the ASD siblings and the typically developing siblings. Consistent with earlier research findings, there are perceived negative effects or risks from being a sibling of an individual with ASD, suggesting support interventions may assist the development of emotional and social efficacy and increased positive affect for these individuals.

“Sometimes I Feel Grateful…”: Experiences of the Adolescent Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Malaysia

“…Similar findings have been previously found, where TD siblings reported mixed emotional experiences, including tension and frustration while also feeling a sense of empathy (Pavlopoulou, & Dimitriou, 2019;Petalas, 2012). Mixed findings were also reported in another study, where some children were found to be positively affected (e.g., high sense of self-concept) by having a sibling with ASD while others reported negative experiences (e.g., loneliness; low levels of prosocial behavior) (Habelrih et al, 2018). These results are likely due to diagnostic factors such as the severity of ASD, the amount of problematic behaviors by the sibling with ASD, and the family support given to the TD sibling (Meadan et al, 2010;Tomeny et al, 2017).…”

“…Given the focus on subjective experiences in qualitative inquiry, semi-structured interviews were used to explore the participants' perspectives. Key interview questions were developed based on a review of the literature (Benderix & Sivberg, 2007 ; Canha, 2010 ; Habelrih et al, 2018 ). These key questions were designed to explore the challenges faced by siblings of individuals with ASD, their coping strategies, and the effect of these challenges on their relationships (Appendix 1 ).…”

“…The difficulties of social interaction between TD siblings and their sibling with ASD have also been considered in a number of studies focusing on children and adolescents. For example, social and interactional issues can contribute to poor psychological well-being in the TD siblings (4–18 years old in the study by Jones et al, 2019 ; participants as young as 6 years old in the study by Habelrih et al, 2018 ). Among the adolescent siblings, feelings of fear, anxiety, and social isolation have been reported by those between 11 and 16 years old from the United Kingdom and the USA when their sibling with ASD behaved inappropriately (Moss et al, 2019 ).…”

The effect of psychological stress on academic achievement among siblings of autistic children spectrum disorder

“…The family is considered a centre for exchanging experiences among its members so that they are influenced by each other and their positions converge and coalesce as an expression of the emotional participation of any member (al-Masa'deh, Younis, al-Zyoud & Homidi, 2020). Parents are the cornerstones and the main influencing factor on the individuals of the family, also the children are influencing with different ages, and any defect in building this family affects everyone within the family (Habelrih, Hicks & Vanstone, 2018). A root change in the psychological, social, and behavioural pathway of the family can occur when discovered a disability of child in the family (Begum & Mamin, 2019).…”

“…A root change in the psychological, social, and behavioural pathway of the family can occur when discovered a disability of child in the family (Begum & Mamin, 2019). The brothers and sisters of a child with disabilities will express their concern at the level of consciousness or unconsciousness due to the extra and special effort needed of their brother with disabilities, while the special needs of them are neglected (Habelrih et al, 2018). As a result, the existence of a disabled child in the family, as well as the unwanted features he possesses, is a source of stress for his disabled brother (llias et al, 2018).…”