Siblings of children with chronic disorders: Family and relational factors as predictors of mental health

Abstract

Siblings of children with chronic disorders are at increased risk of mental health problems. Predictors of siblings’ mental health require further study to identify children in need of interventions and to design effective intervention programs. Siblings of children with chronic disorders ( n = 107; M age = 11.5 years; SD = 2.1, 54.6% girls) and their parents ( n = 199; 50.3% mothers) were included in a survey study. Siblings and parents completed questionnaires on mental health. Siblings completed questionnaires on parent–child communication, relationships with parents, and an adjustment measure on the sibling situation. Multiple linear regression analyses were applied to identify predictors of siblings’ mental health. Sibling-reported relationship with parents was a significant predictor of sibling mental health reported by siblings, fathers, and mothers ( R 2 = 0.26 - R 2 = 0.46). Siblings’ adjustment was significantly associated with fathers’ report of siblings’ mental health ( r = .36), but not mothers’ report ( r = .17). Siblings’ relationships ( d = 0.26) and communication ( d = 0.33) with mothers were significantly better than with fathers. We conclude that the sibling–parent relationship is a significant factor in identifying siblings at risk and that family-based intervention programs should be developed.