Are Siblings of Children with Autism More Prone to Behavioural and Psychological Problems as Compared to the General Population?
Abstract
Objective: To compare the psychological well-being of siblings of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children versus their parents’ and the general population; and social well-being of these siblings versus their parents’ perspective and the general population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involving siblings aged 11-17 years and parents of ASD children attending paediatric clinics of two hospitals, was conducted in 2017-2018. Controls were secondary school students living with healthy siblings, matched based on gender, ethnicity and geographical location. Study group pairs and controls filled the Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Study group children also answered four open-ended questions.
Results: We recruited 34 study group pairs and 34 controls. Majority of the participating parents in the study group were mothers (79.4%). Most children were Chinese (58.8%) females (67.6%). There was no significant difference of depression, anxiety or stress in the study group children (26.5%, 52.9%, 17.6%) compared to their parents (23.5%, 52.9%, 32.4%) and controls (32.4%, 52.9%, 23.5%). There was a significant difference in the study group children’s SDQ score and their parents’ evaluation (p=0.039). Most parents (76.5%) evaluated their children to have very high SDQ score compared to self-evaluation (55.9%). There was no significant difference of SDQ levels between study group children and controls (p=0.090).
Conclusion: Living with a child with ASD did not significantly alter the behaviour and sense of well-being of their siblings contrary to parental perception.
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Methods: A cross-sectional study involving siblings aged 11-17 years and parents of ASD children attending paediatric clinics of two hospitals, was conducted in 2017-2018. Controls were secondary school students living with healthy siblings, matched based on gender, ethnicity and geographical location. Study group pairs and controls filled the Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Study group children also answered four open-ended questions.
Results: We recruited 34 study group pairs and 34 controls. Majority of the participating parents in the study group were mothers (79.4%). Most children were Chinese (58.8%) females (67.6%). There was no significant difference of depression, anxiety or stress in the study group children (26.5%, 52.9%, 17.6%) compared to their parents (23.5%, 52.9%, 32.4%) and controls (32.4%, 52.9%, 23.5%). There was a significant difference in the study group children’s SDQ score and their parents’ evaluation (p=0.039). Most parents (76.5%) evaluated their children to have very high SDQ score compared to self-evaluation (55.9%). There was no significant difference of SDQ levels between study group children and controls (p=0.090).
Conclusion: Living with a child with ASD did not significantly alter the behaviour and sense of well-being of their siblings contrary to parental perception.
Please click PDF below to download the full paper...
Keywords
Autism; Sibling; Psychological; Social
