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Sisters and brothers play an important role in the lives of their siblings with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), starting in childhood and commonly increasing in adulthood. The current study compared typically-developing adult sisters' and brothers' level of involvement in the care of their siblings with IDD. Beyond this, the study examined differences in sisters' and brothers' readiness for primary caregiving – including their readiness for guardianship and belief in their sibling's independent decision-making, loneliness, and self-efficacy, and how these variables predict their involvement. Participants included 175 Israeli adult (aged 18 years and older) siblings – 118 sisters and 57 brothers of individuals with IDD (Intellectual Disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder). The participants completed online questionnaires. Results revealed sex differences, with sisters reporting more social involvement, greater belief in their sibling's ability to make independent decisions, lower levels of loneliness, and higher self-efficacy than brothers. Additionally, hierarchical regression analyses revealed a unique sex difference in predicting siblings' involvement, with readiness for the future role of guardianship positively predicting involvement only among brothers. Variability in sisters' and brothers' involvement needs to be considered when exploring transition planning to primary caregiving, including guardianship and supported decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siblings of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are an important source of family caregiving. Unfortunately, limited information is available about sibling caregivers because existing studies have focused on other family relationships such as parents, spouses, and children. To fill the knowledge gap, the purpose of this study is to describe Korean sibling caregivers' experience with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Guided by Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological methodology, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with eight individuals who have a sibling (1) diagnosed with schizophrenia and (2) hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatric unit. We discerned six key themes: sorrow, burnout, shame, different perspectives in life, acceptance, and responsibility. We categorized these themes into three groups: suffering, hope, and responsibility and obligation. Sibling caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia experience a mixture of several emotions. Participants loved their brother or sister with schizophrenia, but at the same time they felt shame and fear. While they were burdened by the responsibilities of caregiving, they remained loyal to their sibling with schizophrenia, continuing to help their siblings reach their full potential. Although participants were confused about the symptoms of schizophrenia, they were committed to learning more about the illness. Because we conducted the current study in Korea, the findings of this study may be unique to Korea culture. Further studies are needed to compare and contrast nuanced differences in sibling caregivers' experience among different cultural groups.

Background: Future planning has emerged as a global issue for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities due to the longer lives and limited long‐term services and supports in the adult disability system. While it has received greater attention, most future planning studies only included parents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the context of European or American countries. The purpose of this study was to examine future planning among siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Korea. Method: In this study, 185 Korean siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities responded to a survey. Results: Few siblings engaged in future planning activities and reported a range of barriers to conduct future planning. Further, greater future planning involvement was associated with older siblings, greater advocacy level and greater sibling caregiving. Conclusion: For future research, culturally relevant measures and intervention should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siblings of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia are an important source of family caregiving. Unfortunately, limited information is available about sibling caregivers because existing studies have focused on other family relationships such as parents, spouses, and children. To fill the knowledge gap, the purpose of this study is to describe Korean sibling caregivers’ experience with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Guided by Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological methodology, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with eight individuals who have a sibling (1) diagnosed with schizophrenia and (2) hospitalized in an inpatient psychiatric unit. We discerned six key themes: sorrow, burnout, shame, different perspectives in life, acceptance, and responsibility. We categorized these themes into three groups: suffering, hope, and responsibility and obligation. Sibling caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia experience a mixture of several emotions. Participants loved their brother or sister with schizophrenia, but at the same time they felt shame and fear. While they were burdened by the responsibilities of caregiving, they remained loyal to their sibling with schizophrenia, continuing to help their siblings reach their full potential. Although participants were confused about the symptoms of schizophrenia, they were committed to learning more about the illness. Because we conducted the current study in Korea, the findings of this study may be unique to Korea culture. Further studies are needed to compare and contrast nuanced differences in sibling caregivers’ experience among different cultural groups.

Given the longer lives of individuals with disabilities and the increasing likelihood of siblings fulfilling family caregiving roles, it is critical to identify correlates of sibling caregiving. Yet, little research has examined the relation between the severity of the disability and sibling caregiving. The purpose of this study was to understand the relation between the severity of the disability (defined as functional ability and maladaptive behaviors) and sibling caregiving, including advocacy and future planning. Adult siblings of older individuals with disabilities (N = 141) completed a national survey. Results indicated that individuals with less functional ability were significantly more likely to receive greater sibling caregiving, advocacy, and future planning. There was a nonlinear relation with respect to sibling caregiving and functional ability with individuals with severe disabilities requiring disproportionately greater sibling caregiving. Furthermore, there was a nonlinear relation between maladaptive behaviors and caregiving demands such that siblings of individuals with the greatest asocial behaviors reported significantly greater caregiving demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) grow older, siblings are likely to become caregivers for their brothers and sisters with IDD. Thus, it is important to identify the correlates of sibling caregiving to facilitate transitions to caregiving roles. Method: This study involved the secondary analysis of a national data set of 429 adult siblings of individuals with IDD. Results: Current sibling caregiving was positively correlated with sibling relationship quality, sibling advocacy and future planning, maladaptive behaviours of individuals with IDD, and family size. Current sibling caregiving was negatively correlated with parent caregiving abilities and functional abilities of individuals with IDD. Further, among siblings who provided care, the level and nature of sibling caregiving were negatively correlated with parent caregiving abilities. Conclusions: The results identify the correlates of current caregiving among siblings of individuals with IDD. More research is needed to understand current sibling caregiving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined future concerns conveyed by adult siblings who provided regular caregiving support to their brothers and sisters with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The authors surveyed a national sample of 280 adult siblings of persons with TBI. Using a constant comparative approach to text analysis, the authors analyzed responses to the question "What are your concerns regarding the future for your sibling with TBI?" Common themes of such concerns were related to the caregiving siblings' roles as future caregivers and their perceptions of the quality of professional care provided to their injured family members. Also, participants endorsed concerns for their injured siblings' independence, recovery, and relationships with family and friends. Clinical, advocacy, and research implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As their parents age, adult siblings must find ways in which to jointly assist in their care. Based on a sample of 40 focus group participants who described caregiving relationships among siblings, this study focused on those who equitably shared in the care of their parents. Findings indicated that siblings distributed caregiving responsibilities by taking turns as well as by caregiver task and/or expertise. Factors associated with sibling collaboration were: redefining the caregiving system, enjoying time together, setting aside time for care planning, and implementing suggestions from aging parents. Practice implications highlight ways in which to facilitate this collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]