Chan J Yn, Lai K Yc
Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
East Asian Arch Psychiatry. 2016 Dec;26(4):141-7.
Findings about the psychological adjustment of siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder have been inconsistent in western literature and little is known among non-western societies. This study explored the psychological adjustment of siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder in Hong Kong.
A total of 116 families with siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders co-morbid with learning disability were included in the study. Parents completed questionnaires about sibling emotional and behavioural adjustment, and their own mental well-being, quality of life, and family functioning. Siblings completed a questionnaire on their relationship with the autistic proband.
Parent ratings did not reveal any significant negative impact on the emotional and behavioural adjustment of the typically developing siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder, but there were concerns about their peer relationships and weak prosocial behaviours. When cut-off scores were used to screen for risk of mental health problems, a quarter of the siblings warranted further assessment. Parents' quality of life and family functioning were significant predictors of sibling adjustment.
In managing children with autism spectrum disorder, it is necessary to bear in mind the adjustment of their siblings, especially their peer relationships and prosocial behaviour. Adopting a holistic approach to address the psychosocial needs of the parents can facilitate sibling adjustment.
在西方文献中，关于自闭症谱系障碍儿童的兄弟姐妹的心理调适的研究结果并不一致，而在非西方社会中，这方面的了解则很少。本研究探讨了香港自闭症谱系障碍儿童的兄弟姐妹的心理调适情况。
共有116个家庭参与了本研究，这些家庭中的自闭症谱系障碍儿童同时患有学习障碍。家长们填写了有关兄弟姐妹情绪和行为调适、自身心理健康、生活质量以及家庭功能的问卷。兄弟姐妹则填写了一份关于他们与自闭症先证者关系的问卷。
家长的评分并未显示出自闭症谱系障碍儿童的发育正常的兄弟姐妹在情绪和行为调适方面受到任何显著的负面影响，但他们的同伴关系和较弱的亲社会行为令人担忧。当使用临界值来筛查心理健康问题的风险时，四分之一的兄弟姐妹需要进一步评估。家长的生活质量和家庭功能是兄弟姐妹调适情况的重要预测因素。
在管理自闭症谱系障碍儿童时，有必要关注他们的兄弟姐妹的调适情况，尤其是他们的同伴关系和亲社会行为。采取整体方法来满足家长的心理社会需求可以促进兄弟姐妹的调适。
