Supporting positive sibling relationships during childhood

Abstract

This paper reviews the research literature focusing on the interpersonal relationships between siblings when one child has a disability. Descriptive findings are presented that compare and contrast sibling warmth and positivity, engagement, and conflict in sibling pairs with and without a child with a disability. The social roles assumed by siblings are examined, as are developmental changes in role relationships. Research on the development of the sibling relationship in the family context is reviewed, as are findings concerning the effects of parent differential attention on the quality of the sibling relationship. MRDD Research Reviews 7:134–142, 2001.