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Siblings of Children with Diabetes: Involvement, Understanding and Adaptation
Author(s) -
Adams R.,
Peveler R. C.,
Stein A.,
Dunger D. B.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.1991.tb02124.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , diabetes mellitus , closeness , blame , disease , pediatrics , psychiatry , endocrinology , mathematical analysis , mathematics
The psychosocial adjustment of 30 siblings (aged 8–18 years) of children with diabetes mellitus was studied. Although most were younger than the diabetic child, 55% were closely involved in the dietary management and insulin treatment of the diabetes, yet many had only a limited understanding of the disease. Most were well‐adjusted. However, low levels of self‐esteem were apparent among some subjects, who did not feel free to question their parents about diabetes (30%), who identified themselves as the member of the family most likely to receive blame (33%), and who reported spending more time at home with their families than their peers (40%). Nine children (30%) worried about becoming ill themselves. None believed that having a child with diabetes in the family had impaired relationships in the home. Six siblings (20%) also described some positive effects of the illness, particularly enhanced family closeness.