Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Sibling Survivors

Abstract

Although increasing numbers of studies have examined late effects in survivors, there is a paucity of long-term outcome studies in their siblings, so-called sibling survivors. Our aim was to provide a review of publications relevant to survivorship and its impact on the long-term psychosocial health of sibling survivors using a family systems framework. A review of publications identified 19 articles that reported findings suggesting that aspects of psychosocial health may be impaired in sibling survivors. Baseline functioning of sibling survivors may be altered at the start of survivorship secondary to apprehension, memories, and emotions. New demands are placed on sibling survivors, including doubts, questions, and worries due to survivorship. Survivor disfigurement may also place demands on sibling survivors associated with behavioral problems. Associated with these changes, there may be alterations in adaptation, including depression, somatic complaints, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Sibling survivors may also report health risk behaviors and decreased vitality. Identification of the impact of survivorship on the long-term psychosocial health of sibling survivors may help ensure the long-term psychosocial health of all survivors.