Factors that impact on the sibling relationship where one person has a learning disability

Davys, D; Mitchell, D; Haigh, C

Abstract

Title:
Siblings of People who have a Learning Disability – Factors that impact on the Sibling Relationship
Background:
Sibling relationships are significant in the lives of people who have a learning disability. They usually form a major part of their social network and provide ongoing support after parental incapacity. Services and policy planners need to support siblings so that they in turn are able to provide support. The government acknowledges the significance of family members in the care of learning disabled people (DoH, 2008) however there is a lack of research in this area.
Method:
A literature search of empirically based articles published in peer review journals between 1986 and 2009 was carried out using the key terms “siblings, brothers and sisters, adult, learning disability, intellectual disability, developmental disability, mental retardation, mental subnormality, mental handicap and learning activity limitation”. Databases searched include Google Scholar, Psychinfo, Ovid, Medline and Cinahal and citation tracking was utilised.
Results:
There is a continuum of relationships between siblings and people who have a learning disability. Many factors impact upon this relationship and the nature of relationships varies between families and is affected by the life course. Those factors seen to have a potential impact include gender, the type and level of disability, age, residential status, birth order, family climate and maternal well being.
Conclusion:
The relationship between siblings is varied however there are factors that appear to have an impact upon this relationship. Siblings report the need for guidance in their support of disabled brothers and sisters.

Citation

Davys, D., Mitchell, D., & Haigh, C. (2009, January). Factors that impact on the sibling relationship where one person has a learning disability. Poster presented at Seattle Club Learning Disability Research Conference, London

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Seattle Club Learning Disability Research Conference
• Conference Location: London
• Start Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Feb 16, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference