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
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/176853 |
| Date | January 2007 |
| Creators | Holt-Dehner, Stephanie L. |
| Contributors | Tschopp, Molly K. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | vii, 211 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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