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Examining clinical characteristics of autism and links with parent perceptions of sibling relationship quality.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Liu, Quinn 
Bedford, Saashi A 
Szatmari, Peter 

Abstract

Sibling relationship quality is important for the well-being of children on the autism spectrum and their siblings. Little is known, however, about how varied behavior and abilities of children on the autism spectrum may be associated with parent perceptions of domains of sibling relationship quality. We drew data from a subsample of 119 children on the autism spectrum (ages 10-11 years), participating in an ongoing longitudinal study. We looked at how three clinical characteristics (autism symptoms, behavioral difficulties, and communication ability) related to four areas of parent-reported sibling relationship quality (warmth/closeness, conflict, relative status/power, and rivalry). We also examined whether the strength of the association between behavioral difficulties and parent-reported sibling relationship quality was influenced by communication ability. We found that more severe autism symptoms were associated with less conflict and rivalry, and higher communication ability was associated with more relative status/power. We also found that children on the autism spectrum with more behavioral difficulties and weaker communication ability had less warmth/closeness in their sibling relationships. Our findings highlight that it is important to consider autism symptoms, behavioral difficulties, and communication ability, as well as multiple domains of relationship quality, to better understand how parents view the relationships between autistic children and their siblings. Clinically, methods for improving sibling relationships may include teaching conflict resolution strategies to children on the autism spectrum with stronger communication abilities and their siblings, and fostering sibling connection for those with lower communication abilities.

Description

Peer reviewed: True


Funder: Sinneave Family Foundation; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/100012204


Funder: alberta innovates - health solutions; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000145


Funder: Kids Brain Health Network; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100015741


Funder: Government of British Columbia


Funder: Autism Speaks; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/100000073

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder, behavioral difficulties, communication and language, school-age children, sibling relationships, Child, Humans, Siblings, Autistic Disorder, Longitudinal Studies, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sibling Relations, Parents

Journal Title

Autism

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1362-3613
1461-7005

Volume Title

27

Publisher

SAGE Publications
Sponsorship
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FDN 143235)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FDN 93621)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (HDF-70333)