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ABSTRACT
When a child with a significant disability enters an existing family system, it can foster unique challenges and joys for the individuals in that network. Although many studies have focused on the strain of having a sibling with a disability, our purpose was to focus on the development and adaptation of adolescent siblings through the stories they shared. Using a psychological resilience lens, we applied a phenomenological framework to explore the process of adaptation for five adolescents who had a younger sibling with an intellectual disability (ID) as well as other physical and mental health disorders. To understand their perspectives, each participant created a daily check-in journal for a week, participated in a photo-elicitation interview, and completed a semi-structured interview. These data were organized into five overarching themes that included learning about their younger siblings’ special needs; developing a relationship with their sibling; changes and adjustments within their families; making meaning of their experience; and ways that they and their families had benefited from these experiences. Implications for these findings are discussed as well as the need for additional research.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).