Analysis of the Relations Between Behavioral and Emotional Adjustment, Selfconcept and Social Support in Siblings of Autistic Children

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare siblings of autistic children with those without an autistic sibling on the measures of behavioral and emotional adjustment, self-concept, and perceived social support levels.

Method:

A total of 50 siblings of autistic children and 52 siblings of non- autistic children living in Bursa participated in the study. Of these children, 58.8% (n = 60) were female and 41.2% (n = 42) were male. “Strengths and Difficulties Questionna-ire”, “Social Support Rating Scale for Children and Adolescents”, “Piers - Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale” were used as scales and questionnaires in the study.

Results:

No statistically significant difference was found between the siblings of autistic children and siblings of non- autistic children on the measures of emotional and behavioral adjustment, self-concept and social support mean scores. It was found that there was a significant difference in behavioral and emotional adjustment between boys who had an autistic sibling and boys who did not as boys who had an autistic sibling had moreproblems in behavioral and emotional adjustment (p<0,05). It was also found that there was a significant relationship between self-concept scores and perceived social support scores of the children with autistic siblings in the positive direction (r= ,705p<0.01). It was found that affective problems of the children with autistic siblings increased as their hyperactivity- attention deficiency increased (r=,498 p<0.01) while their prosocial behaviors decreased (r=-,577 p<0.01). It was also found that children with an autistic sibling tended to have much more behavioral and emotional adjustment problems if the parents perceived and experienced the level of their autistic child’s disability as “severe” (p<0.05).

Discussion:

Having an autistic sibling has many effects on the children. Determining these effects is important for a better understanding of the problems that these children experience.