Stress Appraisal and Coping in Siblings of Childrenwith Special Needs

Self-reports from siblings of children with special needs are considered important additions to the disability literature. Twelve sibling dyads from the greater Montreal area were interviewed. Participating siblings of children with special needs were between the ages of 8 and 12, with a mean age of 9.5 years. Siblings with special needs were a mean age of 10.08 years. Sibling daily hassles, uplifts, and coping strategies were examined and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Family coping strategies and parental assessments of sibling relationship quality was also assessed. Children reported that most frequent daily events were when their siblings with special needs cry, scream or yell when they do not want to do something, and when they give hugs or kisses. Siblings reported being most stressed when embarrassed by their siblings with special needs in front of friends, and happiest when playing together with their sibling with special needs. Wishful thinking was reportedly commonly used by all children as a coping strategy during stressful times. Sibling results were also assessed by age and gender. In addition, families reported using acceptance of stressful events to cope, whereas family support was minimally used. Parent perceptions of their children's sibling relationship were generally positive, with loyalty, sharing, and controlling behaviour reported occurring most commonly.