This paper reviews the literature in two areas of research on the social development
of siblings. Specifically it compares and contrasts studies of sibling relationships
of handicapped children with the wider literature on non-handicapped siblings. The
focus is on the methodological and conceptual features which characterise research
in each area, with a particular emphasis on identifying the unique contributions
each can make to the advance of knowledge in developmental psychology. For the
purpose of clarity in this review, the term "siblings" will refer to the
non-handicapped brothers and sisters of a handicapped child, unless otherwise specified.
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