Psychosocial Interventions and Support Groups for Siblings of Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Conditions: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review of Sibling Self-reported Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes.
Brittany WolffIliana MagiatiRachel RobertsRachel SkossEmma J GlassonPublished in: Clinical child and family psychology review (2022)
Siblings of persons with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) have increased risk of poorer psychosocial functioning. This systematic review evaluated quantitative and qualitative evidence on sibling mental health and wellbeing outcomes following psychosocial interventions and the risk and protective factors associated with post-intervention outcomes. From 2025 identified studies published from 1991 to 2022 across ten databases, 24 studies were included. The largest immediate post-intervention improvements were in self-esteem, social wellbeing and knowledge of NDCs. The most sustained improvements in intervention groups at follow-up periods were in emotional and behavioural adjustment and NDC knowledge. There were positive, but small, differences in favour of the intervention groups on knowledge of NDCs, self-esteem, coping and the sibling relationship as compared to waitlist control groups. Psychosocial interventions for siblings are heterogeneous, and more data, including consideration of unique family circumstances, are needed to improve reporting and replicability, to measure effectiveness and tailor necessary supports.
Keyphrases
- mental health
- systematic review
- randomized controlled trial
- meta analyses
- healthcare
- physical activity
- mental illness
- study protocol
- intellectual disability
- emergency department
- depressive symptoms
- big data
- type diabetes
- machine learning
- high resolution
- clinical trial
- social support
- adipose tissue
- case control
- metabolic syndrome
- congenital heart disease
- insulin resistance
- deep learning
- glycemic control