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.
Formats available
You can view the full content in the following formats:
References
Abrams M. S. 2009 The well sibling: Challenges and possibilities American Journal of Psychotherapy 63 4 305 -317 https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2009.63.4.305
American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., Text Revision). American Psychiatric Association.
American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Association.
Areemit R. S., Katzman D. K., Pinhas L., and Kaufman M. E. 2010 The experience of siblings of adolescents with eating disorders Journal of Adolescent Health 46 6 569 -576 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.12.011
Barak D. and Solomon Z. 2005 In the shadow of schizophrenia: A study of siblings’ perceptions The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences 42 4 234 -241
Barlow J. H. and Ellard D. R. 2006 The psychosocial well-being of children with chronic disease, their parents and siblings: An overview of the research evidence base Child: Care, Health and Development 32 1 19 -31 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2006.00591.x
Barrett P. M., Rasmussen P. J., and Healy L. 2000 The effect of obsessive compulsive disorder on sibling relationships in late childhood and early adolescence: Preliminary findings The Australian Educational and Developmental Psychologist 17 2 82 -102 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0816512200028170
Bartram, M., & Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2012). Changing directions, changing lives: The mental health strategy for Canada. Mental Health Commission of Canada. https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item?id=Strategy_Document&op=pdf&app=Library
Bowman S., Alvarez-Jimenez M., Wade D., McGorry P., and Howie L. 2014 Forgotten family members: The importance of siblings in early psychosis: Siblings in early psychosis Early Intervention in Psychiatry 8 3 269 -275 https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.12068
Braun V. and Clarke V. 2006 Using thematic analysis in psychology Qualitative Research in Psychology 3 2 77 -101
Canadian Association of College and University Student Services, & Canadian Mental Health Association. (2013). Post-secondary student mental health: Guide to a systemic approach.
Carver, J., Cappelli, M., & Davidson, S. (2015). Taking the next step forward. Mental Health Commission of Canada. http://public.ebookcentral.proquest.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=4383709
Casey, M. A., & Krueger, R. A. (2000). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications Inc.
Dunley P. and Papadopoulos A. 2016 Why is it So Hard to Get Help? Barriers to Help-Seeking in Postsecondary Students Struggling with Mental Health Issues: A Scoping Review International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 17 699 -715
Ewertzon M., Cronqvist A., Lützén K., and Andershed B. 2012 A lonely life journey bordered with struggle: Being a sibling of an individual with psychosis Issues in Mental Health Nursing 33 3 157 -164 https://doi.org/10.3109/01612840.2011.633735
Findlay, L. (2017). Depression and suicidal ideation among Canadians aged 15 to 24 (Health Reports No. Vol. 28, No. 1; pp. 3–11). Statistics Canada.
Gerace L. M., Camilleri D., and Ayres L. 1993 Sibling perspectives on schizophrenia and the family Schizophrenia Bulletin 19 3 637 -647 https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/19.3.637
Hatfield A. B. and Lefley H. P. 2005 Future involvement of siblings in the lives of persons with mental illness Community Mental Health Journal 41 3 327 -338 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-005-5005-y
Landeen J., Whelton C., Dermer S., Cardamone J., Munroe-Blum H., and Thornton J. 1992 Needs of well siblings of persons with schizophrenia Psychiatric Services 43 3 266 -269 https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.43.3.266
Lefley H. P. 1989 Family burden and family stigma in major mental illness American Psychologist 44 3 556 -560
Leith J. E., Jewell T. C., and Stein C. H. 2018 Caregiving attitudes, personal loss, and stress-related growth among siblings of adults with mental illness Journal of Child and Family Studies 27 4 1193 -1206 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0965-4
Leith J. E. and Stein C. H. 2012 The role of personal loss in the caregiving experiences of well siblings of adults with serious mental illness: Personal loss and caregiving Journal of Clinical Psychology 68 10 1075 -1088 https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21881
Liegghio M. 2017 “Not a good person”: Family stigma of mental illness from the perspectives of young siblings Child & Family Social Work 22 3 1237 -1245 https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12340
Lukens E. P., Thorning H., and Lohrer S. 2004 Sibling perspectives on severe mental illness: Reflections on self and family American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 74 4 489 -501 https://doi.org/10.1037/0002-9432.74.4.489
Lukens E. P., Thorning H., and Lohrer S. P. 2002 How siblings of those with severe mental illness perceive services and support Journal of Psychiatric Practice 8 6 354 -364 https://doi.org/10.1097/00131746-200211000-00005
McKeever P. 1983 Siblings of chronically ill children: A literature review with implications for research and practice American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 53 2 209 -218 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-0025.1983.tb03366.x
Mishler, E. G. (1991). Research interviewing: Context and narrative. Harvard University Press.
Morgan, D. L. (1997). Focus groups as qualitative research (2nd ed., Vol. 16). Sage Publications Inc.
O’Reilly M. and Parker N. 2013 ‘Unsatisfactory saturation’: A critical exploration of the notion of saturated sample sizes in qualitative research Qualitative Research 13 2 190 -197 https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1468794112446106
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications Inc.
Riebschleger J. L. 1991 Families of chronically mentally ill people: Siblings speak to social workers Health & Social Work 16 2 94 -103 https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/16.2.94
Sandelowski M. 2000 Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing & Health 23 4 334 -340
Sanders A., Szymanski K., and Fiori K. 2014 The family roles of siblings of people diagnosed with a mental disorder: Heroes and lost children: Siblings and roles International Journal of Psychology 49 4 257 -262 https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12020
Sharpe D. 2002 Siblings of children with a chronic illness: A meta-analysis Journal of Pediatric Psychology 27 8 699 -710 https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/27.8.699
Sin J., Moone N., and Harris P. 2008 Siblings of individuals with first-episode psychosis Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services 46 6 33 -40 https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20080601-11
Sin J., Moone N., Harris P., Scully E., and Wellman N. 2012 Understanding the experiences and service needs of siblings of individuals with first-episode psychosis: A phenomenological study: Siblings of people with psychosis Early Intervention in Psychiatry 6 1 53 -59 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7893.2011.00300.x
Sin J., Murrells T., Spain D., Norman I., and Henderson C. 2016 Wellbeing, mental health knowledge and caregiving experiences of siblings of people with psychosis, compared to their peers and parents: An exploratory study Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 51 9 1247 -1255 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-016-1222-7
Stalberg G., Ekerwald H., and Hultman C. M. 2004 Siblings of patients with schizophrenia: Sibling bond, coping patterns, and fear of possible schizophrenia heredity Schizophrenia Bulletin 30 2 445 -458 https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a007091
Stengler-Wenzke K., Kroll M., Matschinger H., and Angermeyer M. C. 2006 Quality of life of relatives of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder Comprehensive Psychiatry 47 6 523 -527 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2006.02.002
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Sage Publications.
van der Sanden R. L. M., Bos A. E. R., Stutterheim S. E., Pryor J. B., and Kok G. 2015 Stigma by association among family members of people with a mental illness: A qualitative analysis: Stigma by association Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology 25 5 400 -417 https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2221
Withers A., Mullan B., Madden S., Kohn M., Clarke S., Thornton C., and Touyz S. 2014 Anorexia nervosa in the family: A sibling’s perspective Advances in Eating Disorders 2 1 53 -64 https://doi.org/10.1080/21662630.2013.839187
Wolfe B., Song J., Greenberg J. S., and Mailick M. R. 2014 Ripple effects of developmental disabilities and mental illness on nondisabled adult siblings Social Science & Medicine 108 1 -9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.01.021
Wood, D., Crapnell, T., Lau, L., Bennett, A., Lotstein, D., Ferris, M., & Kuo, A. (2018). Emerging adulthood as a critical stage in the life course. In N. Halfon, C. B. Forrest, R. M. Lerner, & E. M. Faustman (Eds.), Handbook of lifecourse health development. Springer.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 40 • Number 3 • November 2021
Pages: 1 - 14
History
Version of record online: 9 December 2021
Key Words
Mots-clés
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Other Metrics
Citations
Cite As
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
Export Citations
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
There are no citations for this item
View Options
View options
Login options
Check if you access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article.
Subscribe
Click on the button below to subscribe to Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
