When One Sibling has Autism: Adjustment and Sibling Relationship

Jones, Emily A.; Fiani, Theresa; Stewart, Jennifer L.; Sheikh, Ridda; Neil, Nicole; Fienup, Daniel M.

doi:10.1007/s10826-019-01374-z

Cited by 41 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This is consistent with some literature showing a relationship between ASD symptomatology (Benson & Karlof, 2008;K. A. Meyer et al, 2011) and ASD problem behavior (Benson & Karlof, 2008;Hastings, 2003Hastings, , 2007Jones et al, 2019;Lovell & Wetherell, 2016;Petalas et al, 2012;Shivers et al, 2013) and mental health. Interestingly, we did not find that problem behavior (if indexed by TD externalizing behavior) moderated the effects of intervention on TD sibling mental health.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Our sample did not score in the clinically significant range. This is consistent with a number of studies describing mental health in TD siblings (Hastings, 2003;Jones et al, 2019;Ross & Cuskelly, 2006). Thus, intervention may not be warranted for every TD sibling.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…A number of studies find that TD siblings of a brother/sister with ASD are at increased risk of mental health difficulties compared with siblings in general (Griffith et al, 2014;Hastings, 2003;K. A. Meyer et al, 2011;Shivers et al, 2013) though not necessarily showing clinically significant levels of maladjustment (Hastings, 2003;Jones et al, 2019;Ross & Cuskelly, 2006). TD siblings may be especially at risk for internalizing difficulties including symptoms of depression and anxiety (Lovell & Wetherell, 2016;Macks & Reeve, 2007;Petalas et al, 2009).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Factors that may relate to TD sibling mental health outcomes include sibling with ASD autism severity and problem behavior. Behavior problems in the sibling with ASD negatively impact TD sibling adjustment (Benson & Karlof, 2008;Hastings, 2003Hastings, , 2007Jones et al, 2019;Petalas et al, 2012), including self-reported depression (Lovell & Wetherell, 2016) and anxiety (Shivers et al, 2013). In some studies, more severe ASD symptomatology is also related to TD sibling maladjustment (e.g.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Randomized controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism

Jones

Fiani

Stewart

et al. 2020

Autism

Self Cite

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Typically developing siblings of a child with autism spectrum disorder may be at increased risk of mental health difficulties. A support group is one approach to improve mental health outcomes for typically developing siblings. During support groups, typically developing siblings discuss their feelings, learn coping strategies and problem-solving skills, and develop a peer network. We conducted a randomized controlled trial comparing a support group to an attention-only social control group. Some areas of mental health improved. Autism spectrum disorder symptom severity in the sibling with autism spectrum disorder moderated effects. Findings suggest continuing to examine what areas of mental health and adjustment are improved with support groups and subgroups of typically developing siblings for whom support groups might be particularly effective. Lay abstract Typically developing siblings of a child with autism spectrum disorder may show mental health difficulties. A support group is one approach to help typically developing siblings. During support groups, typically developing siblings discuss their feelings, learn coping strategies and problem-solving skills, and develop a peer network. We compared a support group to participation in a similar group without a focus on the sibling with autism spectrum disorder. Some areas of mental health improved. Improvements were also impacted by autism spectrum disorder symptom severity in the sibling with autism spectrum disorder. Findings suggest continuing to examine how support groups can help typically developing siblings and for which siblings support groups might be particularly effective.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Randomized controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism

Jones

Fiani

Stewart

et al. 2020

Autism

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, they experience embarrassment in social situations and public places due to people's reactions towards the behavior of their siblings with ASD (Pavlopoulou & Dimitrou, 2020;Leedham et al, 2020;Noonan et al, 2018). The challenges associated with the social-communication impairment and problematic behavior of children with ASD may impact family members and family dynamics (Jones et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Chu

Kassim

Gan

et al. 2021

J Autism Dev Disord

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Sibling relationships remain understudied in typically developing adolescents who have siblings with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of adolescents who have a brother or a sister with a diagnosis of ASD using semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis, the participants reported having difficulties communicating with their siblings. Feeling a mixture of emotions was common when interacting with their siblings with ASD and emotional self-regulation was a typical coping strategy utilized by these adolescents. Despite the challenges, having a sibling with ASD led to closer relationships between the siblings. These findings offer insights into these adolescents' needs and how they may be best supported, informing the practice of speech-language pathology and other health professions.

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Characteristics and correlates of aggressive behavior in autistic youths

Brown,

Borduin,

Sheerin

et al. 2024

Autism Research

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This study aimed to characterize aggressive behaviors in autistic youths and to identify the social environment variables most strongly linked with aggression in this clinical population. Participants were 2142 caregivers of autistic youths (ages 6.0–17.9) recruited from autism research centers across the United States. Caregivers completed self‐report and behavior rating inventories that assessed both verbal and physical aggression as well as characteristics of the individual youths (sleep quality, gastrointestinal [GI] symptoms, and autism characteristics) and their families (caregiver stress, global family functioning, and sibling relations), peers (emotional bonding, number of friends), schools (academic functioning), and neighborhoods (perceived community safety). We used descriptive analyses to identify which aggressive acts were most common among autistic youths, and we performed bivariate correlations and multiple linear regression analyses to determine which characteristics of the youths and their social environments were most strongly linked with youth aggression. Verbally aggressive youth behaviors were endorsed by caregivers most frequently. Youth age and sex were not associated with verbal or physical aggression. A combination of youth and social environment characteristics accounted for 42.6% of the variance in verbal aggression and 26.0% of the variance in physical aggression. Thus, those characteristics most strongly linked with verbal and physical aggression were strained sibling relations, caregiver stress, youth sleep problems, and youth repetitive and restrictive behaviors. Viewed together, the results suggest that aggressive behaviors in autistic youths are associated with multiple characteristics pertaining to the individual youths and their immediate social environments. Implications for treatment and research are discussed.

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When One Sibling has Autism: Adjustment and Sibling Relationship

Cited by 41 publications

References 42 publications

Randomized controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism

Randomized controlled trial of a sibling support group: Mental health outcomes for siblings of children with autism

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

Characteristics and correlates of aggressive behavior in autistic youths

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