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Abstract
Cross-sectional (N = 106) and longitudinal (N = 35) samples of siblings (ages 11-38) reported on closeness and conflict in their relationships with sisters and brothers with intellectual disability. For closeness, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) distinguished feelings of emotional closeness from reciprocal sharing behaviors for these siblings. Age effects and changes over time indicated increasing emotional closeness and a general reduction in conflict from adolescence to young adulthood, with stable reciprocal sharing. Cross-sectionally, closeness was greater when siblings were involved in caregiving, and conflict was less when siblings no longer co-resided. Sibling constellation features (sex, birth order, age spacing) had limited effects at this developmental period. Findings support a combination of life-span developmental change and enduring attachment in these sibling relationships.
Key Words: intellectual disability; sibling relationships; adolescence; early adulthood
Relationships between siblings and people with intellectual disability can be important sources of companionship and support throughout their lives (Seltzer, M. M., Orsmond, Greenberg, & Lounds, 2005; Stoneman, 2001, 2005). Notably, in childhood strong relationships with typically developing siblings predict good social adjustment at school for children with intellectual disability (Floyd, Purcell, Richardson, & Kupersmidt, 2009), and in adolescence relatively low levels of sibling conflict are associated with fewer externalizing behavior problems for these children (Begum & Blacher, 2011). Further, positive relationships in adulthood are associated with high levels of involvement between the siblings (Greenberg, Seltzer, Orsmond, & Krauss, 1999). Given the lifelong persistence of sibling relationships, it is important to understand consistencies and changes in these relationships across development (Stoneman, 2005). The purposes of the present study are to examine closeness and conflict in adolescence and early adulthood within the relationships between siblings and people who have intellectual disability, and to examine developmental changes during this life course transition.
Closeness in Sibling Relationships
Closeness in sibling relationships is characterized by warm feelings, positive behaviors, and mutual admiration, as well as intimate disclosure and shared interests and activities (Furman & Buhrmester, 1985). Both life cycle research (Goetting, 1986) and family systems theory (Caspi, 2012) suggest that the closeness of sibling relationships changes between adolescence and early adulthood. In childhood and adolescence, siblings are highly involved together in a wide range of relationship tasks that include companionship and emotional support, caretaking and teaching, and...