Unfolding Participation in Everyday Activities of Siblings of Children With Cerebral Palsy

Sibling relationships are central to family life, and siblings of children with disabilities often play major caregiving roles. Yet, it remains unknown how a child's cerebral palsy (CP) impacts siblings' everyday experiences. To describe how siblings of children with CP experience participation in everyday activities and their perceived support and challenges. We used a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews with 16 families (25 siblings, 16 children with CP, 29 parents) in Switzerland, and qualitative content analysis. Siblings' participation experiences encompass (a) different types of meaningful activities; (b) distinct support needs, challenges, and feelings of being overlooked; (c) hidden tensions and ambivalent feelings when doing activities. Siblings have diverse experiences including joyful and challenging everyday activities. Tensions arise when navigating roles, family dynamics, and societal expectations. This study underscores the need to prioritize siblings' perspectives in research and practice to enhance their agency, inclusion, and well-being.