Abstract:
The sibling relationships in families with children with and without Down syndrome (DS) have been poorly investigated in Brazil. This study describes family functioning and compares the relationship between siblings in two types of families, identifying similarities and differences in the reports of the parents. Eight families (n = 8) consisting of mother, father and two children participated on the study. In four of them, there were only typically developing (TD) members and in the others there was a member with DS, with a total amount of eight dyads of siblings of both sexes, ranging from five to 15 years old. The Family System Characteristics Questionnaire was answered by the mothers and semi-structured interviews were responded by the parents. The results indicated similarities in the daily routine of the families, in which mothers are primarily responsible for household chores and child care in both types of families. Sibling relations were described by fathers and mothers as Mixed and Friendly in both types of families, therefore, characterizing them as positive. The child with TD was indicated as a leader in most families with a member with DS, and in families with TD dyads, most parents indicated their eldest son. Data converge with those in the literature about the fact that the relationship between the dyad of DS-TD siblings tends to be positive with characteristics of friendship rather than conflict.
Keywords:
Sibling Relationship; Down syndrome; Siblings