Parent and Well-Sibling Communication in Families With a Child Who Has a Life-Limiting Condition: Quantitative Survey Data. (9th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jaaniste, Tiina; Chin, Wei Ling (Audrey); Tan, Sarah Caellainn; Cuganesan, Anjali; Coombs, Sandra; Heaton, Maria; Cowan, Sue; Potter, Denise; Aouad, Phillip; Smith, Philippa Louise; Trethewie, Susan
• Is Part Of: Journal of pediatric psychology. Volume 47:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: 606
• Page End: 616
• Publication Date: 2021-12-09
• Subjects: communication -- life-limiting condition -- parent -- sibling; Clinical child psychology -- Periodicals; 618.9289005
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsab128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-8693

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Living with a child with a life-limiting condition (LLC), for which there is no hope of cure and premature death is expected, places much stress on a family unit. Familial communication has the potential to serve as a buffer when children are faced with stressful situations. The overall aim of the study was to learn more about illness-related communication between parents and well-siblings, giving particular consideration to the amount of illness-related communication, and sibling satisfaction with familial communication. Methods: Participants included 48 well-siblings (aged 6–21 years) of children with LLCs and their parents. Parents and well-siblings independently completed validated measures of familial communication and sibling functioning. Parents also provided demographic information and completed a questionnaire assessing amount of illness-related information provided to well-siblings. Results: Parents reported that 47.8% of well-siblings never or rarely initiated conversations about their sibling's illness. Moreover, 52.2% of well-siblings never or rarely spoke about death. Amount of illness-related communication between parents and well-siblings was most strongly predicted by parental resilience and well-sibling age. Parents engaged in significantly more illness-related communication with girls than boys ( t (44)=−2.28, p = .028). Well-siblings ( p < .01) and parents ( p < .05) rated satisfaction with familial communication significantly higher than published norms. The only significant predictor of well-sibling satisfaction with familial communication was greater familial cohesion. Family communication variables were not significantly correlated with measures of sibling functioning (all p' s>.05). Conclusions: This study provides new information regarding parent and well-sibling communication in families who have a child with a LLC.