Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Sibling Research Projects

2009

Within the next 25 years, the number of adults with disabilities aged 60 years or over is expected to triple. Although the siblings of these persons with disabilities are the future expected caregivers, we know little about these siblings. With the support of The Arc and with the help of the National Sibling Consortium, we have conducted a national, web-based survey. Our goal is to better characterize adult siblings of individuals with disabilities, their relationship with their brother/sister with disabilities, and their present and future service needs. Besides obtaining basic demographic information on adult siblings, we are interested in identifying risk factors for problems with health, depression, or well-being, whether siblings of individuals with different diagnostic conditions (e.g., Down syndrome, autism) differ in their relationships, and which variables help siblings to achieve a host of positive outcomes. We have received over 1,100 survey responses from throughout the United States. Our findings were presented at The Arc National meetings last October, as well as in journal and newsletter articles. In addition to providing basic information about a group that will be of increasing importance to a growing population with disabilities, we expect that our findings will have numerous policy implications.

Family, Siblings, Disabilities, Down syndrome, autism

Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information

Other

Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities

None

National

N/A