Abstract

LIZASOAIN, Olga  and  ONIEVA, Carmen Esther. A Study about Siblings in the Face of Intellectual Disability. Psychosocial Intervention [online]. 2010, vol.19, n.1, pp.89-99. ISSN 2173-4712.

Research has shown that siblings of a person with intellectual disabilities can present problems of identification and socialization, the need for compensation, early adoption of large responsibilities, feelings of abandonment, guilt, shame or sadness. Nevertheless, if the needs of these brothers and sisters are facing, disability can become a source of personal and family enrichment.  This article presents the initial conclusions drawn after a series of personal interviews conducted with siblings of students in a special education school. Awareness of the issue leads us to approach this study with the aim of providing guidelines of intervention to help siblings to minimize the potential negative impact of having a brother or sister with intellectual disabilities, and facilitate the development of attitudes and behaviors that enable them to face stressful situations in a constructive manner. Thanks to the direct experience of those who have been confronted with this situation, is issued to prevent psychosocial problems associated with having a brother or sister with these features.

Keywords : mental retardation; sibling; psychosocial impact; brothers and sisters; needs; support groups.

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