Pediatric siblings of children with special health care needs: Well-being outcomes and the role of family resilience

• Published in: Children's health care Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 452 - 465
• Main Authors: Rosenthal, Eliana, Franklin Gillette, Sara, DuPaul, George J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 02.10.2021; Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Bullying; Clinical outcomes; Health status; Pediatrics; Polls & surveys; Psychosocial factors; Resilience; Siblings; Special needs children
• ISSN: 0273-9615; 1532-6888
• DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2021.1933985

Using data from the 2018 National Survey for Children's Health , this study examined relationships between several adaptive psychological and psychosocial factors among siblings of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) compared to siblings of children without SHCN and the role of family resilience within those relationships. We conducted independent samples t-tests to determine if outcomes of interest differed between the siblings of CSHCN (n = 1486) and the siblings of typically-developing children (n = 1429). We then conducted simple linear regressions to examine family resilience as a correlate of all outcomes. Siblings of CSHCN exhibit significantly worse outcomes in academic and social school engagement, flourishing, and family resilience. Family resiliency is significantly associated with relationships involving school engagement, flourishing, and bullying. Siblings of CSHCN are at increased risk for important negative outcomes. Preventive intervention research is warranted, specifically to enhance resilience of families with CSHCN.