Association between the Family Roles of Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities in Childhood and Over-adaptation in Adolescence

Abstract

　　Previous studies have suggested that adult siblings of individuals with disabilities (Sib-D) exhibit over-adaptation. Some studies have also suggested an association between over-adaptation of Sib-D in adolescence and roles they assumed in their families in childhood. The current study examined the state of parentification by Sib-D and their role in childhood and their over-adaptation in adolescence, and this study examined the associations between parentification and the child's role in childhood and over-adaptation in adolescence. A total of 162 adolescents (51 Sib-D and 111 siblings of individuals without disabilities (Sib-N)) completed a self-reported questionnaire regarding the roles they assumed in their family in childhood and their present overadaptation. Results indicated that Sib-D were more parentified in their family in childhood and were more other-directed in adolescence than Sib-N. Multiple population analysis indicated that parentification in childhood was associated with external aspects of over-adaptation in adolescence in both groups and suggested that Sib-D became more other-directed because they were more parentified in childhood. In addition, a child's role in childhood was associated with internal aspects of over-adaptation in adolescence among Sib-D. These findings suggest that overadaptation of Sib-D in adolescence was associated with parentification and a child's role in childhood.