When disability occurs in the family, examining its impact on the psychological functioning of each member is critical. Most of the studies devoted attention to the primary caregiver (namely mothers). Nevertheless, the pivotal role played by siblings in the persons with disability’ life leads to providing this secondary caregiver the right importance. In the past decades, research investigating the psychological impact of the disabilities of a brother/sister on the experience of the sibling without disability reported mixed results: on the one side, studies revealed a negative impact of disabilities on the psychological functioning of siblings without disabilities, in terms of feelings of rejection toward the brother/sister with disabilities, guilt, anxiety and depression symptoms, lower levels of wellbeing, and aggressive behaviors; on the other side, research found a positive influence in terms of increased levels of responsibility, high levels of self-efficacy and cognitive/emotional empathy, high tolerance and responsiveness levels, as well as positive feelings about caring for their brother/sister with disabilities. Therefore, further investigations are required to understand not only the main psychological dimensions that play a role in siblinghood when disability occurs but also to inform training programs helping this vulnerable population to develop and/or promote coping strategies and well-being.
The inconsistent results on the impact of disability on siblinghood highlighted the necessity to investigate more in-depth this issue. In particular, the Research Topic aims to collect novel and original studies providing an overview of the protective and risk factors affecting the sibling relationship. In addition, due to the role served by the sibling in the life of the person with disability, the Research Topic aims at summarizing studies evaluating the effectiveness of intervention focused on promoting well-being and personal resources. To achieve these goals, studies on siblings with and without disability of all developmental stages will be included in the Research Topic.
To this aim, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Systematic Reviews, and Perspective articles on the following, but not related exclusively to:
Investigate the impact of the disabilities on the siblings’ experience.
Explore the dyadic/triadic parents-siblings relationship when the disability occurs.
Investigate the protective and risk factors for the siblings’ relationship.
Investigate the protective and risk factors for the siblings’ mental health.
Identify and understand siblings’ mental health needs in all developmental stages.
Examine the effectiveness of interventions aims at promoting the siblings’ well-being.
Keywords:
Sibling; Mental health; Disability; Well-being; Siblinghood; Sibling relationship; Distress
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
When disability occurs in the family, examining its impact on the psychological functioning of each member is critical. Most of the studies devoted attention to the primary caregiver (namely mothers). Nevertheless, the pivotal role played by siblings in the persons with disability’ life leads to providing this secondary caregiver the right importance. In the past decades, research investigating the psychological impact of the disabilities of a brother/sister on the experience of the sibling without disability reported mixed results: on the one side, studies revealed a negative impact of disabilities on the psychological functioning of siblings without disabilities, in terms of feelings of rejection toward the brother/sister with disabilities, guilt, anxiety and depression symptoms, lower levels of wellbeing, and aggressive behaviors; on the other side, research found a positive influence in terms of increased levels of responsibility, high levels of self-efficacy and cognitive/emotional empathy, high tolerance and responsiveness levels, as well as positive feelings about caring for their brother/sister with disabilities. Therefore, further investigations are required to understand not only the main psychological dimensions that play a role in siblinghood when disability occurs but also to inform training programs helping this vulnerable population to develop and/or promote coping strategies and well-being.
The inconsistent results on the impact of disability on siblinghood highlighted the necessity to investigate more in-depth this issue. In particular, the Research Topic aims to collect novel and original studies providing an overview of the protective and risk factors affecting the sibling relationship. In addition, due to the role served by the sibling in the life of the person with disability, the Research Topic aims at summarizing studies evaluating the effectiveness of intervention focused on promoting well-being and personal resources. To achieve these goals, studies on siblings with and without disability of all developmental stages will be included in the Research Topic.
To this aim, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Systematic Reviews, and Perspective articles on the following, but not related exclusively to:
Investigate the impact of the disabilities on the siblings’ experience.
Explore the dyadic/triadic parents-siblings relationship when the disability occurs.
Investigate the protective and risk factors for the siblings’ relationship.
Investigate the protective and risk factors for the siblings’ mental health.
Identify and understand siblings’ mental health needs in all developmental stages.
Examine the effectiveness of interventions aims at promoting the siblings’ well-being.
Keywords:
Sibling; Mental health; Disability; Well-being; Siblinghood; Sibling relationship; Distress
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.