SIBLINGS OF ADULTS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION OR MENTAL-ILLNESS - EFFECTS ON LIFE-STYLE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Siblings of adults with mental retardation were contrasted with siblin gs of adults with serious mental illness with respect to (1) the perva siveness of the impact of the brother or sister on the sibling's life, (2) the closeness of their current relationship and frequency of cont act with the brother or sister with the disability, and (3) the factor s related to the sibling's level of psychological well-being. It was f ound that siblings of adults with mental retardation were significantl y more likely than siblings of adults with mental illness to perceive that the brother or sister had a pervasive influence on their life dec isions and to evaluate their sibling experience as mostly positive. In addition, siblings of adults with mental retardation had a closer rel ationship with the brother or sister with the disability than siblings of adults with serious mental illness. Finally, siblings of adults wi th mental retardation had better psychological well-being when they ha d a close relationship with the brother or sister. In contrast, siblin gs of adults with serious mental illness had more favorable psychologi cal well-being when they perceived a less pervasive impact of the brot her or sister on their life. Implications for future research and serv ice delivery are discussed.