The socioeconomic, health, and family situation of adult siblings of patients with substance use diagnosis: A descriptive registry study

Background

Few studies have considered the characteristics of adult siblings of individuals with substance use diagnosis. We report on their family situation, labour market attachment, education, and healthcare utilisation.

Methods

Using Norwegian register data, we identified 131,249 siblings of individuals with substance use diagnoses recorded between 2008 and 2018 (‘SUD-Siblings’). A subsample of 112,320 siblings with no substance use diagnosis themselves ('SUD Siblings_Excl') was matched by age and gender to a comparison group with no substance use diagnosis among either the individuals or their siblings (‘Comparison’). We compared proportions and means.

Results

SUD-Siblings_Excl were more often divorced (13.8 %) than the Comparison group (11.3 %), fewer had work as the main income source (75.3 % vs. 83.3 %), and a larger share received disability pension (13.8 % vs. 8.6 %) or had sickness absence (23.2 % vs. 19.2 %). A greater proportion had consulted a general practitioner (75.2 % vs. 71.6 %), especially relating to mental health (17.4 % vs. 12.6 %) and musculoskeletal issues (29.9 % vs. 26.7 %). Hospital admissions were more common (8.5 % vs. 7.1 %; p-values of all above comparisons <.001).

Conclusions

Adult siblings of individuals with substance use diagnosis face substantial challenges compared to individuals without siblings with such diagnoses. They are more likely to be divorced, less likely to have work as their main income source, and show higher levels of health challenges, as indicated by higher sickness absence, disability pension rates, and healthcare use.