Shadowed Lives: Unraveling the Psychological Impact on Adolescents Living with Siblings Struggling with Severe Mental Illness
Amara Ranjit Kamble
Where emotions flow
September 5, 2024
Abstract
This research paper revolves around the lives of adolescents that grow up with siblings suffering from severe mental illness. These children are often neglected and face a unique set of issues. In this study, existing literature is analyzed to learn about the effects of having a sibling with severe mental illness on a child; a few of these effects include anxiety, depression, and altered family dynamics. By exploring the different aspects of this issue and the different coping mechanisms that can be used, this study aims to highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions, and family based therapies.
Keywords: Adolescents, Teenagers, Siblings, Mental Illness, Psychological Impact, Family Dynamics, Mental Health
Introduction
Growing up with a sibling who faces severe mental illness (SMI) can deeply affect the development of an adolescent. The bond shared between siblings is unlike any other family relationship, siblings often go through developmental stages together and face emotional challenges brought upon by environmental factors together. When a sibling is diagnosed with SMI, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe autism, this typical sibling relationship is disrupted and creates an environment which fosters potential psychological effects (Lobato, Faust, & Spirito, 1988). This paper explores the psychological impact on adolescents who live with a sibling suffering from an SMI, examining how these experiences shape their emotional, social, and developmental well-being.
Emotional Impact
Children and adolescents who grow up with a sibling with an SMI often face a range of different emotions such as anger, confusion, guilt, neglect, and fear (Miklowitz & Goldstein, 1997). These negative emotions often are amplified and exacerbated by watching the unpredictable behavior of their sibling, alongside facing the knowledge that their sibling may be struggling. Research points towards the likelihood that these adolescents may develop disorders such as anxiety or depression caused by chronic stress from having to act as a caregiver to their sibling and watching the struggles faced by their siblings (Orsmond & Seltzer, 2007).
Social Impact
The siblings of children with SMI’s are often faced with feelings of isolation and stigmatization due to their sibling’s condition. They may withdraw from social situations and isolate themselves from family and friends, further causing loneliness (Sin, Moone, & Wellman, 2011). Along with this, these children may also have to assume the role of caretaker or caregiver which could cause them to miss out on social and academic activities, which limits their opportunities for social growth and stunts their growth and development (McHale & Gamble, 1989)
Developmental Impact
The presence of an SMI in the home environment can emotionally disturb a child. Children who have such siblings often take the role of mediator or caregiver, a role that is well beyond their years, which can hinder their development (McHale & Harris, 1992). This can lead to an early and premature transition into adulthood and can create the feeling of loss of childhood. Additionally, these adolescents can internalize notions about mental illness and can negatively associate mental illness with their own experiences, which would affect both their self perception and their growth and development (Jones et al., 2016).
Coping Mechanisms
Adolescents can use positive coping mechanisms such as hobbies, humor and seeking social support to deal with the stress of living with a sibling suffering with an SMI (Lobato et al., 1988). On the contrary, the use of maladaptive and negative coping mechanisms such as inflicting self injury, substance abuse, or avoidance and deflecting can damage their mental health even further (Sin et al., 2011). Healthy coping mechanisms prove to be effective with the help of familial support, a good socioeconomic status, and readily available mental health resources.
Support Systems
Mitigating the psychological effects of being the sibling of a person suffering from SMI’s is necessary, and the existence of a support system is crucial and vital. Peer support groups, therapy and family support can provide the needed support to aid these adolescents with managing their feelings of neglect and loneliness (McHale & Harris, 1992). Communities and school environments can help provide healthy coping mechanisms and can help children deal with the psychological effects of this subject (Orsmond & Seltzer, 2007).
Conclusion
The presence of a sibling with an SMI can pose a cause for psychological challenges that can affect emotional regulation and social development for a child. Having a clear grasp on these effects and the causes is vital for creating helpful support systems and therapies that can cater to the issues of these adolescents. Research conducted in the future should center around long-term effects of these issues and experiences alongside the best and most effective ways in which to support these children.
References
Jones, A. C., Totsika, V., Hastings, R. P., & Petalas, M. A. (2016). Gender differences when living with a child with autism spectrum disorder: Affiliative relationships among children and adolescents. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(7), 2556-2568. Accessed September 2, 2024.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-016-2780-4.
Lobato, D. J., Faust, D., & Spirito, A. (1988). Examining the effects of chronic illness in siblings: A comparison of autism and cystic fibrosis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 13(3), 389-407.Accessed September 2, 2024. https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/jpepsy/13.3.389.
McHale, S. M., & Gamble, W. C. (1989). Sibling relationships and adjustment of children with disabled brothers and sisters. Journal of Children in Contemporary Society, 20(1-2), 73-89. Accessed September 2, 2024.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J274v20n01_06.
McHale, S. M., & Harris, V. S. (1992). Children’s experiences with disabled and nondisabled siblings: Links with personal adjustment and relationship evaluations. Child Development, 63(3), 742-753. Accessed September 2, 2024.https://www.jstor.org/stable/1131354.
Miklowitz, D. J., & Goldstein, M. J. (1997). Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach. Guilford Press.Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.guilford.com/books/Bipolar-Disorder/David-Miklowitz-Michael-Goldstein/9780898622442.
Orsmond, G. I., & Seltzer, M. M. (2007). Siblings of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder across the life course. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 13(4), 313-320. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mrdd.20171.
Sin, J., Moone, N., & Wellman, N. (2011). Developing services for the families of adults with mental illness: Preferences and barriers. Journal of Mental Health, 20(1), 44-55. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09638237.2010.487115.
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