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Current Opinion in Psychology Apr 2018Sibling relationships are characterized by familiarity and emotional intensity. Alongside frequent shared play, sibling interactions feature complementary interactions... (Review)
Review
Sibling relationships are characterized by familiarity and emotional intensity. Alongside frequent shared play, sibling interactions feature complementary interactions (e.g. teaching, caregiving) reflecting age-related asymmetries in socio-cognitive skills. These aspects may underpin sibling influences on prosocial behavior: theoretical accounts of social influences on prosocial behavior highlight emotion sharing, goal alignment, the intrinsically rewarding nature of social interaction, and scaffolding of social norms. Taking a fine-grained approach to prosocial behavior, we examine these processes in relation to sibling influences on children's comforting, sharing, and helping. Emergent themes include: developmental change in the nature of sibling influences on prosocial behavior, the need to consider sibling influences in the wider family context, and the importance of individual differences in the quality of sibling relationships.
Topics: Child; Child Behavior; Emotions; Helping Behavior; Humans; Sibling Relations; Siblings; Social Norms
PubMed: 28858773
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.015 -
Trauma, Violence & Abuse Apr 2023Although sibling sexual abuse (SSA) is one of the most common forms of sexual abuse, it has been particularly neglected in previous research. Hence, characteristics of... (Review)
Review
Although sibling sexual abuse (SSA) is one of the most common forms of sexual abuse, it has been particularly neglected in previous research. Hence, characteristics of this form of abuse and its longer term implications are not well understood. The aims of the current review were to precisely characterize the phenomenon of SSA and to condense the implications known to date of SSA on survivors. We included 15 studies with a total sample size of 14,680 individuals. Our results indicate that SSA has some unequivocal features such as an early onset, an extended duration and frequency, and a particularly high intensity (i.e., involvement of coercion, force, superiority, and manipulation). Our findings also revealed that SSA is linked to later depression, anxiety, impaired self-esteem, and sexual functioning. The findings of the current review suggest that (1) SSA is common, (2) SSA has various negative effects on survivors' mental health, and that (3) SSA and its implications have been and to date are marginalized in research and practice. Results are discussed with a special focus on clinical implications.
Topics: Child; Humans; Siblings; Incest; Child Abuse, Sexual; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 34238075
DOI: 10.1177/15248380211030244 -
Nursing Jun 2024As cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) increase, so do their impact on sibling relationships. This literature review of four databases from 2010 to 2024 discusses... (Review)
Review
As cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) increase, so do their impact on sibling relationships. This literature review of four databases from 2010 to 2024 discusses findings from five studies and the themes that emerged: education needs and family functioning. Improvements in family-centered care and education are needed for siblings of children with T1DM.
Topics: Humans; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Siblings; Adaptation, Psychological; Child; Sibling Relations; Patient Education as Topic
PubMed: 38757999
DOI: 10.1097/NSG.0000000000000011 -
Journal of Family Psychology : JFP :... Sep 2017The current study explored whether older sibling mentalization moderated the relationship between familial risk for internalizing symptoms and the development of future... (Review)
Review
The current study explored whether older sibling mentalization moderated the relationship between familial risk for internalizing symptoms and the development of future internalizing problems in the younger siblings, referred to as target children. Data were collected on 397 older siblings at Time 1 (T1) when target children were newborn and their older siblings were on average 2.61 years old (SD = .75). Target children were on average 1.60 years old at Time 2 (T2). Internalizing problems were assessed via mother and partner reports. Familial risk was operationalized as the average of all older siblings' level of internalizing problems. Older sibling mentalization, indexed by internal state talk and reasoning, was observed and coded during a sibling pretend-play interaction at T2. Results revealed a significant interaction between familial risk of internalizing problems and older siblings' mentalizing abilities, showing that familial risk was related to target children's internalizing problems in the absence of sibling mentalization. Familial risk was not associated with target children's internalizing problems when siblings demonstrated mentalizing abilities. Findings support the need to consider sibling mentalization as a protective factor for children's internalizing problems. (PsycINFO Database Record
Topics: Birth Order; Child Behavior; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Internal-External Control; Male; Sibling Relations; Siblings; Theory of Mind
PubMed: 28318288
DOI: 10.1037/fam0000308 -
Journal of Psychiatric and Mental... Apr 2021WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Addiction has a devastating impact in the lives of millions of people worldwide. Siblings constitute a hidden population. Siblings'...
WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Addiction has a devastating impact in the lives of millions of people worldwide. Siblings constitute a hidden population. Siblings' attitudes to addiction in the family vary widely from overinvolvement to disengagement among different individuals and across time-line points during the long history of addiction. Female siblings report more negative feelings and attitudes towards drugs and alcohol. Previous research has described the process of a sibling's substance abuse through the eyes of a co-sibling but did not focus on how co-siblings are affected personally. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Addiction can have a damaging traumatic impact on female siblings which is enhanced by social and self-stigmatizing processes related to the "code of silence." The anxiety provoking secret may devour the ability to communicate and connect with other members of their family and community if selective revelation proves to be unsuccessful. Ambiguous loss can occur when one's sibling abuses substances, as the sibling may be physically present yet be psychologically absent in terms of the co-sibling (and the family). Ambiguous loss is connected to the lack of understanding of the real impact of addiction on a sibling's personal development. Addiction constitutes a family trauma which may severely shake the siblings' beliefs and values and undermine their self-esteem, security and trust in life and the future. Lack of focus on a sibling's feelings during addiction may severely impact on his/her psychological health and identity development. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Understanding the experience of siblings may help health and social care professionals to develop compassion, patience and empathy towards family members of persons with addictions. Mental health nurses need to be aware of the devastating impact of addiction on all family members in order to validate their experiences and support them in recovering from trauma and loss in the family. Due to the current context of addiction services i.e. individualized approaches and limited resources, organizations should consider the need to provide effective clinical supervision to young mental health professionals at an individual, group or multidisciplinary level.
Topics: Attitude; Emotions; Family; Female; Humans; Male; Siblings; Social Support
PubMed: 32598536
DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12668 -
Annals of Epidemiology Mar 2022A growing area of research in epidemiology is the identification of health-related sibling spillover effects, or the effect of one individual's exposure on their...
PURPOSE
A growing area of research in epidemiology is the identification of health-related sibling spillover effects, or the effect of one individual's exposure on their sibling's outcome. The health within families may be confounded by unobserved factors, rendering identification of sibling spillovers challenging.
METHODS
We demonstrate a gain-score (fixed effects) regression method for identifying exposure-to-outcome spillover effects within sibling pairs in linear models. The method identifies the exposure-to-outcome spillover effect if only one sibling's exposure affects the other's outcome, and it identifies the difference between the spillover effects if both siblings' exposures affect the others' outcomes. The method fails with outcome-to-exposure spillover or with outcome-to-outcome spillover. Analytic results, Monte Carlo simulations, and a brief application demonstrate the method and its limitations.
RESULTS
We estimate the spillover effect of a child's preterm birth on an older sibling's literacy skills, measured by the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening-Kindergarten test. We analyze 20,010 sibling pairs from a population-wide, Wisconsin-based (United States) birth cohort. Without covariate adjustment, we estimate that preterm birth modestly decreases an older sibling's test score.
CONCLUSIONS
Gain-scores are a promising strategy for identifying exposure-to-outcome spillover effects in sibling pairs while controlling for sibling-invariant unobserved confounding.
Topics: Child; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Premature Birth; Regression Analysis; Research Design; Siblings; United States; Wisconsin
PubMed: 34990828
DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2021.12.010 -
The Journal of School Health May 2020The presence of health problems in a child is known to be negatively associated with later academic achievement, but less is known about the educational outcomes for...
BACKGROUND
The presence of health problems in a child is known to be negatively associated with later academic achievement, but less is known about the educational outcomes for siblings of children in poor health. The study investigated how having a sibling with health problems affects a healthy sibling's academic achievement.
METHODS
We utilized medical and social microdata from Swedish administrative population registers. Our sample consisted of N = 115,106 individuals (51.3% boys) born in 1990 in Sweden. We compared children with ill siblings to children whose siblings did not have poor health. Siblings' hospital admissions and the academic achievements of the healthy sibling during their final year of compulsory education (at the age of 15-16) were analyzed using linear and logistic regression in relation to individual health- and family-related confounders.
RESULTS
Sibling hospitalization was significantly associated with lower overall grade points (β = -10.73, p < .001) and an increased odds ratio (OR) of ineligibility for upper secondary education (OR = 1.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-1.52, p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
School and health personnel should also consider the needs of healthy siblings during their work with children in poor health, because they too can be disadvantaged.
Topics: Academic Success; Adolescent; Family; Female; Health Status; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Registries; Siblings; Sweden
PubMed: 32105351
DOI: 10.1111/josh.12887 -
Journal For Specialists in Pediatric... Jul 2015This integrative review synthesized current information from 28 research articles meeting inclusion criteria that examined sibling experiences when living with a young... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This integrative review synthesized current information from 28 research articles meeting inclusion criteria that examined sibling experiences when living with a young person with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder.
CONCLUSIONS
Five themes emerged related to sibling experiences: their knowledge of the condition, relationships with others, perceptions of the condition, emotional reactions to the situation, and behavioral/personality outcomes.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
Nurses caring for families raising youth with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder can enhance sibling development by providing individual interventions reflecting siblings' perceptions of the experience.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Child; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Down Syndrome; Female; Humans; Male; Sibling Relations; Siblings
PubMed: 25963838
DOI: 10.1111/jspn.12117 -
Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing :... 2005When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, such as cancer, there is much disruption to the family. It is a struggle for parents to divide their time... (Review)
Review
When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, such as cancer, there is much disruption to the family. It is a struggle for parents to divide their time between the hospital, home, and other healthy siblings. Nurses strive to provide family-centered care, which involves siblings in many stages of the treatment process. However, during the terminal phase of a child's disease, the dying child and the parents are often the sole focus of the health care team. Siblings are often left to stay with extended family members or friends so that they are protected from the reality of death. However, previous research has shown that even young children understand death, and some of the protective measures parents take actually hamper the siblings'bereavement process. Nurses are in a position to guide families through the emotional time of a child's death while advocating for sibling involvement at a level appropriate for their developmental stage.
Topics: Attitude to Death; Bereavement; Child; Emotions; Humans; Neoplasms; Oncology Nursing; Sibling Relations; Siblings; Terminal Care
PubMed: 15994340
DOI: 10.1177/1043454205276956 -
Midwifery Aug 2018to consolidate existing research in the field of sibling attended birth (SAB) into a body of knowledge to inform decision-making processes and guide midwifery practice... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
to consolidate existing research in the field of sibling attended birth (SAB) into a body of knowledge to inform decision-making processes and guide midwifery practice throughout the sibling attended birth experience.
DESIGN
An integrative literature review.
DATA SOURCES
CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Index New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre, grey literature databases REVIEW METHODS: An extensive search of five electronic databases as well as 17 grey literature databases was conducted. Abstracts of 2340 papers and full texts of 39 papers were scrutinised for inclusion criteria leading to 22 studies being included in this review. The Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool was used to facilitate a systematic quality appraisal process.
FINDINGS
This review included 22 studies (13 qualitative, 4 quantitative and 5 mixed methods). Studies were analysed using a narrative synthesis approach. Publications mainly focussed on families' motivations for choosing SAB, the preparation for the event, and the impact of SAB on children's behaviour and the infant/sibling relationship.
CONCLUSIONS
This review identified that children experienced birth as a positive, exciting and important life event and parents viewed their SAB experiences as overwhelmingly positive and reported a heightened sense of family unity. Included studies did not address the long term effects of sibling attended birth, however, in the short-term, children did not show signs of trauma or severe distress, though differing levels of transient fear and anxiety were described.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Families could benefit from receiving evidence based information to enable an informed decision regarding their children's involvement during pregnancy, birth and the immediate postpartum. Information shared by the midwife could focus on how families can achieve an optimal SAB experience for all family members.
Topics: Adult; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Labor, Obstetric; Motivation; Pregnancy; Quality of Health Care; Siblings
PubMed: 29777965
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.04.025