Abstract
Children suffering from chronic physical illness are considered to be at increased risk for behavioural problems. There is also evidence that their siblings are at risk for behavioural problems. This study investigated parent-reported behavioural problems in chronically ill children and their siblings. There were significant positive correlations between the behaviour problem scores of the ill children and the scores of their siblings. Siblings older than the ill child had significantly higher behaviour problem scores of an internalizing nature than did the younger siblings. Sibling behaviour problem scores were similar to those of a comparison group of normal children and significantly different from those of a comparison group of psychiatrically referred children. Siblings of chronically ill children showed no greater likelihood of receiving scores in the clinical range of behaviour problems than children in the general population. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 20-25 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 1997 |
Keywords
- Behavioural problems
- Children
- Chronic physical illness
- Siblings
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health