THE PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF WELL SIBLINGS OF CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN

This exploratory study examined the psychosocial adjustment of 19 sibl ings of chronically ill children (termed well siblings) in comparison to 19 siblings of healthy children. Results indicated no differences b etween the psychosocial adjustment of siblings in each group. Results of within-sibling group correlations suggested that when well siblings experienced adjustment problems, some of their problems were related to family structure characteristics, child characteristics, and parent ing. Nonetheless, few differences were found in children's psychosocia l adjustment across sibling groups as a function of family structure c haracteristics, child characteristics, and parenting. Implications for identifying well siblings who may be in greatest need of psychosocial care as well as the goals of psychosocial care are discussed.