Sources of Stress Among Adult Siblings of Irish people with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Siblings play an important role in the lives of their brothers and sisters with intellectual disability when they reside in the parental home. Many assume a primary caregiving role following the death of their parents or when parents are no longer able to give care. Sources of stress reported by 39 adult siblings of lrish men and women with intellectual disability were explored.Siblings who were primary caregivers were older and earned less income than their counterparts in a second group who lived in the parental home and who had an especially close bond with their brother or sister with intellectual disability. Perceived social support as well as their brother or sister's independence were significantly related to the stress reported by siblings on the short form of the QRS-F. Neither levels of reported stress nor the presence of a plan for their relative's future distinguished the two groups of siblings.

Adult sibling experience, roles, relationships and future concerns – a review of the literature in learning disabilities

“…Confirms Flaton (2006), Benderix and Sivberg (2007) Confirms Rimmerman and Raif (2001), Seltzer et al (1997), Greenberg et al (1999) Seltzer et al (1991) Describe relationships between adult siblings where one has mental retardation and the effect of these relationships on maternal wellbeing Confirms Cleveland and Miller (1977), Rimmerman and Raif (2001), Greenberg et al (1999), Orsmond and Seltzer (2000) Confirms Greenberg et al (1999) contrasts Rimmerman and Raif (2001) Bigby ( (2007) Confirms Cleveland and Miller (1977), Greenberg et al (1999) Seltzer et al (1991, Bigby (1997), Rimmerman and Raif (2001) Orsmond et al (2009) Investigation of sibling relationships and well-being in adolescents and adults where one person has an autism spectrum disorder Confirms Bigby (1997), Rimmerman and Raif (2001) Seltzer (2000, 2007) Confirms Egan and Walsh (2001), Orsmond and Seltzer (2007), Begun (1989), Wilson et al (1992) Begun (1989) Explore sibling relationships involving developmental disability Confirms Orsmond and Seltzer (2000) …”

“…An interesting consequence of the caregiving role taken on by siblings of learning-disabled people is that of finance. A small-scale study by Egan and Walsh (2001) found that those siblings who provided primary care had significantly lower levels of household income than those who provided a secondary level of care, although this could be explained by the fact that the non-primary caregiving siblings were significantly younger than the primary caregivers and were still living at home.…”

“…Griffiths and Unger (1994) report that greater communication in families regarding future planning was positively associated with sibling satisfaction with the plans; however, this paper also provides evidence of confusion between parents and siblings, as although 78% of parents reported having discussed future plans with siblings, 64% of siblings stated they were unclear about the future plans. Concern regarding a lack of future plans is reiterated by Egan and Walsh (2001) who surveyed found that only one-third of the 39 sibling sample had made future plans.…”

“…(1992) Examine how levels of competency and life stage affects the relationship and involvement between non-disabled and disabled siblings ConfirmsEgan and Walsh (2001),Orsmond and Seltzer (2007),Begun (1989),Orsmond et al (2009) Confirms Greenberg et al (1999 ConfirmsBigby (1997), Rimmerman and Raif(2001)Orsmond and Seltzer…”

Estudos psicométricos da versão Portuguesa da Escala de Impacto Familiar (EIF)

“…ciar apoios especializados), social (e.g., interacções sociais estigmatizantes, restrições em termos de actividades sociais e de lazer), familiar (e.g., alterações nas rotinas familiares), entre outras (Byrne & Cunningham, 1985;Coelho & Coelho, 2001;Egan & Walsh, 2001;Hadadian, 1994;McLinden, 1990;Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, & Skaff, 1990;Redmond & Richardson, 2003). Por sua vez, a sobrecarga subjectiva relaciona-se com a percepção do cuidador acerca da repercussão emocional (e.g., níveis acrescidos de ansiedade, depressão, stresse, quando comparados com os de pais de crianças saudáveis) das exigências associadas à prestação de cuidados ao bebé/criança com um diagnóstico de deficiência (Lawoko & Soares, 2002Pelchat et al, 1999;Smith, Seltzer, Tager-Flusberg, Greenberg, & Carter, 2008).…”