Being a Sibling to an Individual with Special Needs: A Phenomenological Study

This study explored the experiences of being a sibling to an individual with special needs. This study aimed to gain insights on the experience of being a sibling to an individual with special needs, specifically answering the following questions; how may the experience of being a sibling to an individual with special needs be described, what is the meaning of their experience of being a sibling to an individual with special needs and what essence can be formulated based on the findings of the study. Six participants were interviewed based on the inclusion criteria of the study. This study was conducted at Barangay Zone III, City of Koronadal. The researchers utilized Colaizzi’s seven-step method in data analysis. This study offers a new perspective on family dynamics and the lived experiences of siblings within families with children who have special needs. The findings reveal that being a sibling in this context is particularly challenging, as they often assume and fulfill parental roles and responsibilities. The themes that emerged from the SOP 1 are the following; self-sacrifice, selfless caregiving, compassionate caregiving, empathic understanding, and self-development. For SOP 2 the themes that emerged are fortitude, developing personal and emotional awareness and embracing optimism. The essence of this study describes this phenomenon as “a state of altruistic commitment”. This study contributes valuable insights for parents, educators, and support systems in understanding and addressing the needs of siblings of individuals with special needs.