Sibling Relationship of Children with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Although numerous studies exist on the sibling relationships of children with disabilities, much less research has examined the sibling relationships of children with visual impairments. Considering the contributions of siblings to each other in terms of personality development and social functioning, the impact of visual impairments on the quality and dynamics of sibling relationships needs to be studied. We therefore investigated the sibling relationships of children with visual impairments. We performed a case study by conducting semi-structured interviews with a total of 24 participants including siblings with visual impairments, sighted sibling(s), and their parents from six families. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted for data analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged from the interviews: diverse aspects of the relationship, differing roles, mutual support, and transformative experiences. The results reveal that although the dynamics of the relationships between children with visual impairments and their siblings were similar to those of sibling relationships of typical dyads, visual impairments disturbed the natural flow of the relationship between siblings. The sibling relationships were mostly guided by feelings, and sighted siblings were a powerful source of support. Sibling dyads had a limited social life and their shared activities and times were mostly home-based. Within the context of sibling relationships of children with visual impairments, the relationships were characterized by challenges, differing roles, and positive aspects. Family members of children with visual impairments perceived the sibling relationships on a spectrum including non-disability experiences at one end and the challenge to manage typical relationships at the other end. For future directions, longitudinal research may be conducted to examine the development of sibling relationships across life, while practitioners can provide support to sibling dyads about how to spend time together and manage their relationship more effectively. Sibling relationships of children with visual impairments were characterized by challenges, differing roles, and positive aspects.The sibling relationship was mostly guided by feelings, and sighted siblings were a powerful source of support.Sibling dyads had a limited social life and their shared activities and times were mostly home-based.Sighted siblings' excessive caregiving and assumption of parent-like duties derived from sibling-focused parentification.The use of a multi-respondent approach provided a more comprehensive insight into the sibling relationship of children with visual impairments.