Exploring the experiences of the sibling of a child with an intellectual disability

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is aimed at gaining insight into the experiences of siblings of an individualwith an intellectual and physical disability. Attaining greater insight into their livedreality, their feelings and concerns could make it possible to provide appropriatesupport.The review of selected literature provides information on many aspects of the thesesiblings' experience. Although many studies are quantitative in their approach, theliterature review provides relevant and useful findings and inferences which wereused to support and substantiate findings. During this qualitative study, which issituated within an interpretive phenomenological paradigm, four participants betweenthe ages of eight and sixteen years were interviewed using semi-structuredinterviews. This format of interview allowed participants to use their own words toexpress their personal experiences.The results showed that siblings have both positive and negative experiences whenanother sibling has an intellectual disability. Other common difficulties includeembarrassment, guilt, and the experience of differential treatment. Positiveexperiences and competencies include love and acceptance, personal growth,maturity, pride in siblings accomplishments, and appreciation for one's sibling.Several experiences were congruent with those mentioned in the literature.The insights into the experiences this study provides has implications for thedevelopment and provision of sibling support programmes and interventions. Atpresent, state group support programmes for siblings are not provided within theWestern Cape area. The interventions and assistance that do exist seem to beprovided by the private sector only. Support can prove very costly, which means thatit is not accessible to many who require it. Sibling workshop groups could provide avaluable support alternative to a currently unsupported group, the siblings.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University