Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-50). Also available on the Internet.

Dissertations (Ed. D.)--Rowan University, 2007. / Typescript. "UMI Number: 3272677"--T.p. verso. Includes bibliographical references.

M.A. / This study explores the grief experiences of young adult siblings in the aftermath of murder. This research was motivated, firstly, by the perceived lack of focus on siblings, often referred to as the ‘disenfranchised grievers’ and, secondly, by the vulnerability of the young adult population who bear the scars of South Africa’s high levels of crime and violence. Three young adults were recruited to participate in interviews, in which they described their lived experience of loss. Data collection and the analysis were guided by a phenomenological research design resulting in the identification of five major themes: 1) Shock, disbelief and horror, 2) Intent and rage, 3) Recollecting and withdrawal, 4) Rupture and fragmentation, and 5) Resilience, healing and growth. These themes are discussed in relation to the research literature on sibling grief and homicide bereavement. In the concluding chapter, the key strengths and limitations of this study are reviewed and the implications of the findings of this research for further investigations are discussed

The purpose of the present study was to find out whether there is a relationship between sex role perception, ordinal position, and sex of sibling. Measuring sex role perception presents a complex problem by itself, since at a time when sex role expectations are changing rapidly, there is little consensus on precisely what constitutes male or female behavior. We were concerned, therefore, to avoid as far as possible subjective interpretations of behavior. We decided to look for a sample of women who had already reached a measure of achievement in a competitive field traditionally dominated by men, and who were still available for questioning. Medical and rental students seemed the most appropriate choice. We wanted to know whether these women differed with regard to their sibling positions from their male colleagues on the one hand, and from the students in the School of Social Work, which has been traditionally a more female profession, on the other. Questionnaires were distributed at the local Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Social Work, asking students to identify their positions in their families by indicating sexes and ages of their siblings. It was found that a significantly greater number of female students are without older siblings than male students. These results appeared both in the medical-dental and in the social work sample. When older siblings were divided by sex, it was found that this relationship is stronger for opposite sex siblings than for same sex siblings. It was concluded that having older siblings is a handicap for a female wishing to go to graduate school, but not for a male, and that having older brothers is somewhat more of a handicap for her than having older sisters.

Note:

The influences affecting sibling interaction among adults were investigated. Twenty-one predictor variables, subsequently reduced to nine, were examined through multiple regression analysis for their contribution to the explained variance in three dependent measures: frequency of contact with an adult sibling, obligation to have contact with the sibling, and desire for contact with the sibling. The predictor variables represented four conceptual areas of influence on sibling interaction: qualities of the sibling relationship; structure of the sibling constellation; structure of the siblings' families of procreation; and demographic characteristics of the siblings. Geographic proximity was also examined. The investigation utilized adult respondents over 25 years of age, with living siblings. The sample was drawn from the Roanoke, Virginia, urbanized area using a two-stage systematic design involving telephone and mail surveys. A completed sample of 313 adults was obtained, yielding a net response rate of 82%. The respondent in each household and the respondent's sibling were chosen at random. The reduced predictor equation explained 69% of the variance in frequency of contact, 37% of the variance in obligation to have contact, and 65% of the variance in desire for contact. The combination of the predictors was statistically and substantively significant for each of the criterion measures. The results suggest that proximity, emotional closeness, obligation, and sex are the most important influences on adult sibling interaction in general. The relative contribution of these predictors, however, varies for the different aspects of interaction represented by the criterion measures. Proximity is more explanatory of actual behavior, but relationship qualities are more important in explaining the motivation for contact. / Ph. D.

In the United States, nearly 30% of children experience a moderate to severe chronic illness or disability, and nearly all of these children live in a household with at least one sibling (Cox, Marshall, Medleco, & Olsen, 2003). Having a child with a disability in the family can create several demanding and permanent changes for each member of the family (Fisman, Wolf, Ellison, & Freeman, 2000). Empirical and theoretical research have revealed that having a child with a disability impacts each member of the family, both in regard to long-term functioning and day-to-day activities (Cox et al., 2003).There are relatively few studies that explore the sibling relationship between a non-disabled child and a child with a disability. Not surprisingly, there are even fewer studies that evaluate the impact of specific types of disabilities, such as visual impairment, on the sibling relationship (Stoneman & Brody, 1993). Because of the uniqueness of each type of disability, more research should focus on specific types of disabilities, such as visual impairments. This study was conducted in an effort to better understand the experiences and opinions of children with a visual impairment and their non-disabled siblings.Utilizing a qualitative approach, ten children with visual impairments and ten sighted siblings were interviewed. Through these interviews, several themes emerged, including the following: closeness, conflict, impact of disability, responsibility/assistance, understanding of disability, and coping strategies. Within each of these themes were related subthemes. From these themes and interrelationships of the themes emerged an integrated theory of sibling relationships when one sibling has a visual impairment, which included the dimensions of the non-disability sibling dyad, the shared disability experience, and coping-related strategies.Based on the reports of children with visual impairments and their sighted siblings, visual impairment can have both positive and negative implications toward the sibling relationship. Children with visual impairments and their siblings have the challenge of managing a "typical", non-disability related, sibling relationship along with their shared disability experience. Implications for professionals include assisting with coping-related strategies, such as increased communication, teaching advocacy, and assisting with education and social support. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis project (D. Min.)--Denver Seminary, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 243-268).

M.A.(Information & Knowledge Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract