Abstract

Objective: To examine whether caregiver burden, parenting style, and sibling relationships in families raising a child with a disability (CWD) predict cooperative and externalizing behaviors in typically-developing sibling (TDS). Methods: This correlational study included 189 families raising both a CWD and a TDS. Mothers and fathers completed self-report questionnaires on caregiver burden, sibling relationships, parenting style, and TDS cooperative and externalizing behaviors. Results: Authoritative parenting was positively associated with cooperative behaviors, whereas authoritarian parenting was positively associated with externalizing behaviors. Hierarchical regression revealed caregiver burden was a significant predictor of cooperative and externalizing behaviors; however, when parenting style was added as a predictor, it was also significant. However, when sibling relationships were added as a predictor, they were the only consistently significant predictor for both cooperative and externalizing TDS behaviors; caregiver burden was no longer significant and parenting style was only significant in predicting externalizing behaviors. Conclusion: Positive sibling relationships may help negate the effects of caregiver burden and poor parenting practices on sibling outcomes. Therefore, interventions improving parenting and sibling relationships are critical in families raising a CWD.

Degree

College and Department

Nursing; Nursing

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/