"They are your sub-group": The experience of siblinghood in out-of-home placements as conveyed by adults who aged out of family group homes in Israel.

Abstract

Background: Sibling bonds play a crucial role in the development, well-being, and resilience of individuals, particularly during challenging life circumstances. However, there is limited research on siblinghood within the context of out-of-home placements.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the experiences of siblinghood among adults who aged out of family group homes in Israel. The primary objective is to amplify their voices and convey their key messages to professionals and academics working in the field.

Participants and settings: The participants included 71 adults who aged out of family group homes, comprising 49 women and 22 men, mostly under the age of 30.

Methods: Data was collected through an online survey, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis.

Results: The fundamental experience of being a sibling in a family group home was mainly positive. The sibling bond in their current life stage was also reported as positive, which was especially evident among participants who stayed in joint placements. The participants mostly preferred joint placements and highlighted the importance of professional support and guidance to nurture and sustain sibling relationships. However, most participants reported a lack of systemic support for sibling bonds.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the significance of recognizing sibling bonds as a valuable resource for children in out-of-home placements, which needs to be actualized by professionals and acknowledged by policymakers and researchers.