title: Interrelationships among variables affecting well siblings and mothers in families of children with a chronic illness or disability.
abstract: A structural equation model (SEM) examined interrelationships among psychosocial variables known to affect the health and development of well siblings and parents when a child with a chronic illness or disability is a member of the family. Using dyads of 252 well children and parents, socioeconomic status (SES) and family cohesion were associated with the parent-reported behavior of the well sibling. SES also influenced the mood of the mother that in turn influenced family cohesion. The well sibling's knowledge about the illness of the brother or sister, attitude toward the illness, mood, self-esteem, and feelings of social support were interrelated and related to the behavior of the well sibling. The SEM suggests that interventions may be directed at several points in these interactions including boosting knowledge levels of the well sibling, improving family cohesion, and assuring adequate "income" support to the family through income transfers or in-kind services.
authors.affiliation: University of Kansas School of Nursing, 3901 Rainbow Building, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA. pwilliam@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Phoebe Dauz
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Arthur R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J Carolyn
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Graff
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hafeman
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liebergen
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leuenberg
authors.forename: Robyn Karlin
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Setter
authors.forename: Lavonne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ridder
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnard
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanders
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support