Authors: Nikita K. Hayden, Lauren V. Usher, Georgia Pavlopoulou, Mhairi McKenzie, & Michaela Goose (2022)
The evidence review suggests that:
- Some adult siblings are at risk of poorer mental health
- Adult sibling relationships were one sibling has a learning disability are positive overall, particularly for siblings of people with Down’s syndrome
- Adult siblings identified positive sibling experiences. These included developing personality characteristics such as increased empathy, compassion, awareness of injustices, and understanding of differences
- Being a sister was a consistent factor linked with sibling caregiving
- Adult siblings’ life decisions such as marriage, having children and careers may be associated with having a brother or sister with a learning disability
Download the evidence review