Emerging adults’ emotions toward their siblings with down syndrome

Abstract

Background

Typically-developing siblings of individuals with Down Syndrome often experience complex emotions towards their sibling. This study explored how social support, personal resources (optimism, sense of coherence [SOC]), and individual variables (sex, religious affiliation, siblings’ functionality) may impact emerging adult siblings’ emotions toward their sibling with Down Syndrome. Methods: Participants were 292 siblings of individuals with DS ranging in age from 18–27 (M=21.54, SD=2.50). Participants completed self-report questionnaires exploring optimism, SOC, support, and acceptance. Results: Higher levels of support and optimism were positively associated with positive emotions, and higher SOC with lower levels of negative emotions. Siblings’ functionality and religious affiliation interacted with variables to predict emotions. Conclusions: This study contributes to a greater understanding of how emotions may play a role in sibling relations during the emerging adulthood stage. It also provides unique insight into how religious affiliation may be associated with more positive outcomes for siblings.