Family quality of life and nurturing the sibling relationship

Abstract

Research that gauges family quality of life in families that include a child with a disability has often focused on the relationship between parents and the child, but in doing so they underestimate the importance of the sibling relationship: siblings are in each other’s lives generally for a much longer period of time than parents are. The sibling relationship is not intrinsically positive or negative, but it is a dynamic and critical bond; from it children can learn to understand and advocate for themselves and each other in the context of the disability. The sibling relationship is a lifelong one. Nurturing it in the early stages of development will not only support family quality of life, but will set the foundation for healthy adult sibling relationships that can create positive outcomes for all members of the family. The important aspects of nurturing the sibling relationship are considered from the viewpoint of both sibling and parent. The assumptions that inform sibling relationships are discussed, and suggestions for nurturing them are provided.