Adolescent siblings of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder: testing a diathesis-stress model of sibling well-being.
The purpose of this study was to test a diathesis-stress model of well-being for siblings who have a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data were collected from 57 adolescents and their mothers. Sisters reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than brothers. Having a family history of ASDs was associated with depressive, but not anxiety, symptoms. A high level of maternal depression was also associated with more depressive and anxiety symptoms. A diathesis-stress model was partially supported, primarily through the findings that sibling sub-threshold autism characteristics were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in siblings, but only in the presence of a high number of stressful life events.
Orsmond
Gael I
GI
Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, USA. gorsmond@bu.edu
Seltzer
Marsha Mailick
MM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012801:Sibling Relations; D035781:Siblings / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires