EXPLORING PSYCHOSOCIAL CHALLENGES AMONG ADULT SIBLINGS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

Adult siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities deal with a complex system of psychosocial issues that have a significant impact on their well-being. Family system theory postulates the interconnectedness of family members, where each member’s behavior influences others that shapes family dynamics. The present study aims to investigate the psychosocial challenges among Adult siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Seven adult siblings of children with intellectual disabilities aged above 18 years were recruited by purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were used to investigate the challenges from siblings and the data was interpreted and analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis. The major themes based on interpretative phenomenological analysis indicated that adult siblings face challenges includes; barriers in finding support, social impact, emotional    impact, objective caregiver burden, family dynamics and coping strategies. It is found that having a sibling with an intellectual disability can make them experience increased caregiving role, emotional and social dynamics and impact on mental health.