title: Being a sibling.
abstract: The purpose of this descriptive exploratory study was to explore the meaning of being a sibling using Parse's human becoming perspective. Twelve children between 5 and 15 years of age with a younger sibling with a cleft lip and palate or Down Syndrome participated. Through semi-structured interviews and the use of art, children talked about their experiences. Major themes portrayed the complex and paradoxical nature of being a sibling. The themes also revealed that having a sibling with special circumstances includes some unique opportunities and challenges. The finding of this study is the descriptive statement, being a sibling is an arduous charge to champion close others amid restricting-enhancing commitments while new endeavors give rise to new possibilities. Implications for nursing are discussed in the context of understanding being a sibling.
authors.affiliation: Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Tina Taylor
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Dyches
authors.forename: Marybeth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braddick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000523:psychology; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000523:psychology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009742:Nursing Theory; D036301:Qualitative Research; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*