Mental Illness in the Family: The Experiences of Well Siblings of Young Adults with Mood and/or Anxiety Disorders
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
9 December 2021
Abstract
Current research on well siblings of individuals with mental illness focuses predominantly on adult siblings of individuals with schizophrenia, eating disorders, and psychosis. Few studies examine the experiences of young adult siblings of individuals with mood and/or anxiety disorders. We conducted focus groups with 21 post-secondary students, gathering their experiences of living with a sibling with mood and/or anxiety disorders. Our findings highlight the important role well siblings play in their sibling’s care, and the significant health and social impacts of living with a mentally ill sibling, particularly during adolescence. The needs of young adult well siblings of individuals with mood and/or anxiety disorders must be considered in the provision of family-centred care.
Résumé
Les études actuelles sur les frères et sœurs adultes de personnes atteintes d’un problème de santé mentale portent principalement sur la schizophrénie, les troubles de l’alimentation et la psychose. Peu de recherches se sont penchées sur l’expérience de jeunes adultes frères/sœurs de personnes souffrant de troubles de l’humeur et/ou d’anxiété. Nous avons organisé des groupes de discussion avec 21 étudiants de niveau postsecondaire et rassemblé leur expérience de vie avec un frère ou une sœur souffrant d’un trouble de l’humeur et/ou d’anxiété. Nos résultats mettent en évidence le rôle important des frères/sœurs dans les soins apportés à ce dernier ou cette dernière, ainsi que les répercussions en santé et les impacts sociaux sérieux du fait de vivre avec un frère ou une sœur souffrant de maladie mentale, en particulier à l’adolescence. Les besoins des jeunes adultes bien portants vivant avec un frère ou une sœur souffrant de troubles de l’humeur et/ou d’anxiété doivent être pris en compte dans la prestation de soins axés sur la famille.
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Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 40 • Number 3 • November 2021
Pages: 1 - 14
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Version of record online: 9 December 2021
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Alexandra Dimmer, Linda Rozmovits, Stephanie Babinski, and Susan Law. 2021. Mental Illness in the Family: The Experiences of Well Siblings of Young Adults with Mood and/or Anxiety Disorders. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
40(3): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2021-017
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