Sibling relationship of adults with intellectual disabilities in China

Abstract

Background: Sibling relationship is oneof the most long-lasting family relationships. For adults with intellectual disabilities (AWID), sibling relationship significantly influences their own well-being and those of their brothers or sisters. The positive participation of siblings of AWID in sibling relationships can help predict their expectations on their future care-giving role. Nevertheless, few studies on sibling relationship of AWID exist, particularly in China.

Objectives: This study investigated the sibling relationship experiences of siblings of AWID in China. The study explored how the personal factors of siblings(such as emotional closeness, sense of responsibility, experiences of ID stigma, and expectations of self-reward),familial factors(such as differential treatment of parents),and social–contextual factors(such as availability of support services and policies)determine their two types of motivations, namely, obligatory and discretionary, as well as their contact frequency in their sibling relationships. The study also examined the mediation of the two types of relational motivations of siblings of AWID on the relationship between determinative factors and contact frequency.

Method: The study adopted a quantitative research method. A total of 1,298 siblings of AWID from Guangdong province, China were recruited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Both stratified and purposive sampling methods were employed. Eight scales were used in the measurements, six of which were adopted from existing scales and modified according to the research objectives and two of which were newly developed. A small-sample validation study was performed to test the reliability and validity of the scales prior to conducting the main study.

Results: All personal, familial, and social–contextual factors have significant correlations with the two types of motivations of siblings of AWID. With the exception of experiences of ID stigma, the measured factors contributed significantly to the contact frequency of siblings of AWID. In the integrated model, their obligatory motivations were also found to mediate the relationships between the different determinative factors and their contact frequency. Differential treatment of parents was the only factor not mediated by the obligatory motivations of siblings of AWID.

Discussion: The findings of this study have enriched knowledge on the antecedents of sibling relationship of AWID in China and have highlighted the mediating roles of obligatory motivations of siblings of AWID in these relationships. The adopted scales have exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties and thus can be used in future studies on sibling relationship and utilized as assessment tools in clinical practices. These findings can also increase understanding of social work practitioners on the needs and strengths of siblings of AWID as well as inspire them to develop effective support systems for these siblings and advocate relevant policy changes.