Psychosocial adjustment in siblings of children with autism.
BACKGROUND
This study investigated psychosocial adjustment in siblings of children with autism compared to siblings of children with Down syndrome and siblings of normally developing children. In addition, the relationships between feelings of loneliness, social support and psychosocial adjustment, and the influence of gender and family size on psychological adjustment were examined.


METHODS
Ninety siblings (30 per group) between the ages of 8 and 18 and one parent of each child participated in this study.


RESULTS
Results indicated that siblings of children with autism, as well as comparison siblings, were well adjusted and reported low levels of loneliness. Siblings of children with autism also reported that they received high levels of social support in their lives.


CONCLUSIONS
Large family size appears to facilitate healthy adjustment in siblings of children with autism.
Kaminsky
Laura
L
University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Dewey
Deborah
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012737:Sex Factors; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support