title: Siblings of children with chronic physical and cognitive disabilities.
abstract: During the past 20 years, numerous researchers have examined the effects on well children of having a chronically physically and/or cognitively ill/disabled sibling. Although the findings are inconsistent and inclusive, the effects of this chronic family stress are less than previously thought. This article is a summary of studies conducted across the lifespan, highlighting effects on well sibling adjustment/well-being, stress and coping, self-concept, sibling interactional relationships, parenting, and mediating variables. Sibling intervention studies are examined, and nursing implications are presented.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Faux
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D017008:Negotiating; D015399:Nursing Research; D016487:Parenting; D012649:Self Concept; D012801:Sibling Relations; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*