The Development of Siblings: Exploring the Impact of Illness

The study of siblings within the context of illness is frequently overlooked when exploring sibling development or the influence of illness within a family. Examining the impact of having an ill sibling is critical for a comprehensive understanding of family dynamics. The existing literature on this topic surveys illness, family dynamics, mental illness, guilt, roles of responsibility, and various other factors. However, there is a significant gap in how sibling illness affects the bond in sibling relationships. This study empirically examined sibling bonds with a particular interest in whether the type of illness (e.g., mental, physical, or developmental) influenced the relationship dynamics between the affected and healthy sibling. Findings suggested that siblings who shared a health condition reported lower levels of warmth and higher levels of rivalry in their relationships specifically in the case of mental illness, indicating reduced emotional closeness and increased competitive dynamics. Conversely, pairs in which neither sibling had a condition demonstrated stronger emotional bonds and fewer perceptions of rivalry. Keywords: sibling, illness, family dynamics, children, mental health, guilt, parenting