The Hidden Impact on Siblings
The Research Behind Outcomes for Typically Developing Siblings in the Disability Community
Around 4-7% of families experience disabling health conditions in at least one of their children, and as many as one in four households has at least one child with a special health care need. It goes without saying that families impacted by disability are worn out from endless advocacy, the tireless fight for basic human rights, and the day-to-day challenge of meeting the sometimes vast and ever changing needs of the disabled family member. Yet, hidden in the unspoken rhythms of these challenges can be a quiet but ominous and exponential strain on each individual member of the family. And amongst the disability community, perhaps the most unseen and under supported members in the disabled community are the siblings. The children with the privilege of having less needs, taking up less space, and demanding less of their caregivers and families. And yet somehow despite these privileges, research reflects adverse mental health and career outcomes for the siblings slipping through the cracks of the disabled community.
Major findings from research surrounding mental health outcomes for siblings reflect more frequent diagnosis of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Feelings of isolation, emotional distress, and chronic stress are also reported at a higher rate by siblings. These effects are generally small on average, but factors such as frequent family conflict, financial hardship, behavioral challenges associated with the disabled child, and high caregiving responsibilities on the sibling increase risk significantly.
Research also suggests siblings of disabled children have an increased risk of having career or education interruptions due to caregiving, experience delays in career development, and default to careers in caregiving rather than their own personal interests, leading to career dissatisfaction. The most significant risk factor to siblings is parentification. The greater the caregiving responsibility on the sibling, the greater the risk of adverse mental health and career outcomes on the siblings.
Though risk is increased for social, emotional, and economic problems to impact siblings, hope is not lost. Families have so much power in counterbalancing the affects on siblings and decreasing risk factors. Research reflects that protective measures families can take to support siblings include pouring intentional time and attention into the typically developing child, foster a better communicative and supportive connection between parents, protect the financial health of the household, and most impactful, decrease caregiving responsibilities on the typically developing sibling as much as possible. Though beginning early creates best possible outcomes, it is never too late. Supporting siblings and their often unspoken needs propels them into a brighter future, and it is never too late to pour into these valuable members of our families and community.
