Supporting young siblings of children with intellectual disabilities and/or visual impairments with the serious game ‘Broodles’: A mixed methods randomized controlled trial

IF 2.6 2区医学 Q1 EDUCATION, SPECIAL

Research in Developmental Disabilities Pub Date : 2025-03-26 DOI:10.1016/j.ridd.2025.104996

Linda K.M. Veerman , Agnes M. Willemen , Suzanne D.M. Derks , Anjet A.J. Brouwer-van Dijken , Paula S. Sterkenburg

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Siblings of children with neurodevelopmental conditions experience conflicting emotions and have an increased risk of mental health problems. Several sibling interventions have been developed, but few are readily available, leaving many siblings unsupported. Therefore, the free, online, self-administered sibling serious game ‘Broodles’ was developed. This study assessed its social validity and effectiveness in promoting quality of life, and inter- and intrapersonal factors in siblings (6–9 years) of children with intellectual disabilities and/or visual impairments.

Methods

A mixed methods, waitlist control group, randomized controlled trial was conducted. In total, 107 Dutch or Belgian parent-child dyads completed questionnaires at three timepoints (baseline, one-month post-test, two-month follow-up). The intervention group also completed post-test interviews. Effects were assessed using multilevel modelling, and thematic analysis was applied to the evaluations.

Results

Significant, weak interaction effects (R² = .03–.06) were found on sibling negative adjustment, but only in those who completed ≥ 75 % of the game and followed the study timeline. Regardless of group, (very) small, significant improvements over time were found on several outcomes (R² = .01–.06). ‘Broodles’ was experienced as fun (80 %) and helpful (79 %). Perceived learning outcomes included the themes: ‘sibling awareness and validation’, ‘emotions and needs’, ‘coping with emotions and situations’ and ‘family interactions’.

Conclusion

Although quantitative data showed small effects, qualitative data revealed a variety of learning outcomes which can contribute to siblings’ resilience, and prevention of mental health problems. To unlock its full potential, future studies should examine if additional family-targeted components can enhance the intervention’s impact.

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用严肃游戏“Broodles”支持智力残疾和/或视力受损儿童的年轻兄弟姐妹：一项混合方法随机对照试验

背景：患有神经发育疾病的儿童的兄弟姐妹会经历矛盾的情绪，并且有更高的心理健康问题风险。已经开发了几种兄弟姐妹干预措施，但很少有现成的，使许多兄弟姐妹得不到支持。因此，免费、在线、自我管理的兄弟严肃游戏“Broodles”被开发出来。本研究评估了其社会效度和提高生活质量的有效性，以及6-9岁智力残疾和/或视力障碍儿童的兄弟姐妹间和个人因素。方法采用混合方法，采用候补对照组，随机对照试验。总共有107名荷兰或比利时的父母和孩子在三个时间点（基线、测试后一个月、随访两个月）完成了问卷调查。干预组还完成了测试后的访谈。使用多层模型评估效果，并将主题分析应用于评估。结果在兄弟姐妹负适应方面存在显著的弱交互作用（R²= 0.03 - 0.06），但仅适用于完成≥ 75% %游戏并遵循研究时间轴的人。无论哪个组，随着时间的推移，在几个结果上发现了（非常）小的、显著的改善（R²= 0.01 - 0.06）。“面条”被体验为有趣（80% %）和有帮助（79% %）。感知到的学习成果包括“兄弟姐妹意识和认可”、“情绪和需求”、“应对情绪和情况”以及“家庭互动”等主题。结论虽然定量数据显示的影响较小，但定性数据揭示了多种学习结果有助于兄弟姐妹的心理弹性和预防心理健康问题。为了充分发挥其潜力，未来的研究应该检查额外的针对家庭的成分是否可以增强干预的影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Research in Developmental Disabilities Multiple-

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

6.50%

发文量

178

期刊介绍： Research In Developmental Disabilities is aimed at publishing original research of an interdisciplinary nature that has a direct bearing on the remediation of problems associated with developmental disabilities. Manuscripts will be solicited throughout the world. Articles will be primarily empirical studies, although an occasional position paper or review will be accepted. The aim of the journal will be to publish articles on all aspects of research with the developmentally disabled, with any methodologically sound approach being acceptable.