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Siblings of adults with developmental disabilities: psychosocial outcomes, relationships, and future planning
- Authors:
- HELLER Tamar, ARNOLD Catherine Keiling
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), March 2010, pp.16-25.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As a result of longer lifespan and the aging of their parents, siblings play an increasing role in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this article, the authors reviewed the literature on siblings of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, concentrating on three main questions: what are the psychosocial outcomes of having a sibling with an intellectual and developmental disabilities on the sibling without a disability?; what factors relate to the nature of the sibling relationship?; and what factors relate to future planning, including expected and future relationships when parents can no longer provide care? The authors examined 23 relevant published studies for the period 1970–2008 on adult siblings over 21 years of age that addressed the relationships, psychosocial outcomes, and involvement in future planning. In conclusion, the authors suggest that these studies present a mixed, but positive picture of the psychosocial outcomes of having a sibling with a disability. They also indicate that siblings tend to have long-lasting close relationships with their siblings with a disability and anticipate taking on greater supportive roles as both grow older.