Parents' competence and social skills in siblings of disabled children

In this study we aimed to determine whether or not the siblings of children with disabilities have more emotional (stress levels) and relational (parental education levels, family functioning levels, relational and behavioral problems of children while at school), problems than do their peers. We selected 32 couples (16 with and 16 without children with low intellectual ability) and administered self-report questionnaires. Results confirmed the association between family characteristics and the emotional and relational difficulties of siblings of children with disabilities. In our analysis of the relational experience of siblings, a significant difference emerged in comparison to their peers in families with nondisabled children.