Functioning Among Typically Developing Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

• Published in: Clinical child and family psychology review Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 172 - 196
• Main Authors: Shivers, Carolyn M., Jackson, Jeffrey B., McGregor, Casey M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - physiopathology; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Behavior Problems; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Beliefs; Child and School Psychology; Developmental Disabilities; Down Syndrome; Effect Size; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Hyperactivity; Individual Differences; Meta Analysis; Problem Behavior; Psychology; Sibling Relations; Sibling Relationship; Siblings; Social Sciences; Social Skills; Systematic review; Autism spectrum disorder; Siblings; Meta-analysis; Functioning
• ISSN: 1096-4037; 1573-2827
• DOI: 10.1007/s10567-018-0269-2

The literature on typically developing siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD-Sibs) provides inconsistent results, with some studies reporting ASD-Sibs are more likely to have negative outcomes than comparison groups, and others reporting no significant differences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to meta-analytically aggregate study effect sizes to more accurately calculate the degree to which ASD-Sibs function similarly or differently compared to siblings of people who do not have ASD. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they had a sample of ASD-Sibs older than 5; reported on emotional, psychological, behavioral, or social functioning; and provided information necessary for calculating relevant effect sizes. Results from 69 independent samples indicated that ASD-Sibs have significantly more negative outcomes than comparison groups overall ( g  = − 0.26); specific areas of functioning in which ASD-Sibs fared worse include internalizing behavior problems, psychological functioning, beliefs, social functioning, and the sibling relationship, but no significant differences in adjustment, attention/hyperactivity, externalizing behavior problems, coping, or family functioning. Noteworthy sub-areas of functioning in which ASD-Sibs also fared worse included beliefs about disability ( g  = − 0.56), anxiety symptoms ( g  = − 0.25), and depression symptoms ( g  = − 0.36). In terms of comparison group, ASD-Sibs had significantly lower functioning than siblings of individuals with other intellectual and developmental disabilities ( g  = − 0.31), including Down syndrome ( g  = − 0.40) and siblings of individuals without any disabilities ( g  = − 0.31). Clinicians and service providers should work to ensure that ASD-Sibs are included in family interventions and support strategies, and researchers should further explore individual differences that may relate to enhanced or impaired functioning in ASD-Sibs.