Seventeen well siblings of chronically mentally ill (CMI) individuals were studied to examine effects associated with having a CMI sibling and factors associated with variations in effects. The respondents were largely better-educated, white, middle class, and age 21 years or older, recruited through a local family support group, and an acute care mental health facility. A self-report questionnaire was developed for use in this study utilizing a Likert scale for standardization. Areas of focus were self-esteem, relationships, and emotional and financial burden. All areas except self-esteem showed some negative effects. The main concerns identified were a "Don't Talk" attitude about mental illness, active mourning, fear of having a CMI offspring, and future financial responsibility. Differences in effects were observed between groups by gender, birth-order, likeness (same sex/opposite sex), and proximity. Diagnosis and level of functioning also appeared to be associated with variations in effects.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/291636 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Loomis, Sandra Ann, 1953- |
| Contributors | Lauver, Philip J. |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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