Type

Text

Type

Dissertation

Advisor

Robinson, John | Lerner, Matthew D | O'Leary, K. D. | Wolf, Julie.

Date

2015-12-01

Keywords

Psychology | autism, family, model, siblings

Department

Department of Clinical Psychology.

Language

en_US

Source

This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.

Identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/11401/77195

Publisher

The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.

Format

application/pdf

Abstract

Therapy and support programs for siblings of youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are on the rise, indicating a growing demand for specialized sibling services. However, current research findings remain unclear as to what exactly the needs of siblings might be and why those needs might be present. The current dissertation aims to identify what particular risk factors may lead to problematic outcomes that warrant clinical services (e.g. | emotional, behavioral, or social problems), while concurrently, examining resilience factors that may lead to positive functioning in these areas. A comprehensive family systems model was created drawing from literature related to relevant predictors for typically developing (TD) youth, including maternal depression and sibling relationship quality. The model also reflected literature regarding family systems affected by ASD, such parental stress and severity of ASD symptoms. A total of 239 mothers of one youth with autism (simplex families) and at least one other youth (ages 6-17) completed online standardized measures of various familial factors and TD youth outcomes. Overall, only a subset of siblings was identified as being in the clinical range in regards to emotional, behavioral, or social functioning (6%-23%). Based on the data, a good-fitting path analysis model including specific pathways that led to both problematic and adaptive outcomes for siblings was created. Both maternal depression and sibling relationship were identified as key components in predicting siblings’ functioning. Findings are discussed in terms of moving towards an evidence base for intervention and support for this unique population of children, as well as a more systematic manner of assessing which siblings may be at risk or, conversely, resilient within their family system. | Therapy and support programs for siblings of youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are on the rise, indicating a growing demand for specialized sibling services. However, current research findings remain unclear as to what exactly the needs of siblings might be and why those needs might be present. The current dissertation aims to identify what particular risk factors may lead to problematic outcomes that warrant clinical services (e.g. | emotional, behavioral, or social problems), while concurrently, examining resilience factors that may lead to positive functioning in these areas. A comprehensive family systems model was created drawing from literature related to relevant predictors for typically developing (TD) youth, including maternal depression and sibling relationship quality. The model also reflected literature regarding family systems affected by ASD, such parental stress and severity of ASD symptoms. A total of 239 mothers of one youth with autism (simplex families) and at least one other youth (ages 6-17) completed online standardized measures of various familial factors and TD youth outcomes. Overall, only a subset of siblings was identified as being in the clinical range in regards to emotional, behavioral, or social functioning (6%-23%). Based on the data, a good-fitting path analysis model including specific pathways that led to both problematic and adaptive outcomes for siblings was created. Both maternal depression and sibling relationship were identified as key components in predicting siblings’ functioning. Findings are discussed in terms of moving towards an evidence base for intervention and support for this unique population of children, as well as a more systematic manner of assessing which siblings may be at risk or, conversely, resilient within their family system. | 137 pages

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