Self-concept of siblings of handicapped children was compared with that of children without handi. capped siblings. Results of a standardized children's self-concept scale showed that siblings of handicapped children did not differ from other children in self-concept. Extreme scores, however, suggested differential responses among the siblings. Some children in both groups had poor self-concept scores. Though statistically insignificant, females in both groups showed higher self-concept scores than males. Males with handicapped siblings had higher self-concepts than the males without handicapped siblings. Results are discussed in terms of theoretical models and research evidence. Suggestions are made for intervention and research.
Bentler, P.M. (1972). A review of the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale for Children. In O. Buros (Ed.), Mental measurements yearbook (7th ed.) (pp. 124-126). New Jersey: Gryphon Press.
3.
Bradshaw, J., & Lawton, D. (1978). Tracing the causes of stress in families with handicapped children. British Journal of Social Work, 8(2), 181.192.
4.
Breslau, N., Weitzman, M., & Messenger, K. (1981). Psychologic functioning of siblings of disabled children. Pediatrics, 67(3),344.353.
5.
Cicirelli, VG (1982). Sibling influence throughout the lifespan. In M.E. Lamb & B. Sutton-Smith (Eds.), Sibling relationships (pp. 267.284). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
6.
Coopersmith, S. (1967). The antecedents of self-esteem. San Francisco: N.H. Freeman.
7.
Cornell, D.G. (1984). Families of gifted children. Ann Arbor: UMI Research Press.
8.
Crnic, K.A., Friedrich, W.N., & Greenberg, M.T. (1983). Adaptation of families with mentally retarded children: A model of stress, coping, and family ecology . American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 88, 125-138.
9.
Cummings, S.T. (1976). The impact of the child's deficiency on the father: A study of fathers of mentally retarded and of chronically ill children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 46, 246-255.
10.
Dunn, L. (1983). Sibling relationships in early childhood. Child Development, 54, 787-811.
11.
Dyson, L., & Edgar, E. (1986). The self-concept of siblings of handicapped children-An exploratory study. (Report No. EC182-371). Seattle, WA : University of Washington. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. 268 767).
12.
Dyson, L., & Fewell, R.R. (1986). Stress and adaptation in parents of young handicapped and nonhandicapped children: A comparative study. Journal of the Division for Early Childhood, 10, 25-35.
13.
Epstein, J.H. (1985). Review of Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (The Way I Feel About Myself). In J.V. Mitchel, Jr. (Ed.), The ninth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 1167-1169). Lincoln, NE: The Buros Institute of Mental Measurements, University of Nebraska.
14.
Ferrari, M. (1984). Chronic illness: Psychological effects on siblings-I. Chronically ill boys. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry , 25,459.476.
15.
Ferrari, M. (1987). The diabetic child and well siblings: Risks to the well child's self-concept. Children's Health Care, 15(3), 141-147.
16.
Gath, A. (1973). The school-age siblings of mongol children. British Journal of Psychiatry, 123, 161-167.
17.
Gayton, W.F., Friedman, S.B., Tavormina, J.F., & Tucker, F. (1977). Children with cystic fibrosis: I. Psychological test findings of patients, siblings and parents. Pediatrics , 59(6),888-894.
18.
Graliker, B.V., Fishler, K., & Koch, R. (1962). Teenage reaction to a mentally retarded sibling . American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 66, 838-843.
19.
Grossman, F.K. (1972). Brothers and sisters of retarded children: An exploratory study. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.
20.
Harter, S. (1986). Processes underlying the con. struction, maintenance, and enhancement of the self-concept in children. In J. Suls & A.G. Greenwald (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on the self (Vol. 3, pp. 137-181). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
21.
Harvey, D.H.P., & Greenway, A.P. (1984). The self-concept of physically handicapped children and their nonhandicapped siblings: An empirical investigation . Joumal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 25(2),273.284.
22.
Holroyd, J., & McArthur, D. (1976). Mental retarda. tion and stress on the parents: A contrast between Down's syndrome and childhood autism. American Journal of Mental Deficien. cy, 80, 431-436.
23.
Jeske, P.J. (1985). Review of Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (The Way I Feel About Myself). In J.V. Mitchel, Jr. (Ed.), The ninth mental measurements yearbook (pp. 1169-1170). Lincoln, NE: The Buros Institute of Mental Measurements, University of Nebraska.
24.
Lavigne, J., & Ryan, M. (1979). Psychologic adjustment of siblings of children with chronic illness. Pediatrics, 63, 616-626.
25.
Lobato, D., Barbour, L., Hall, L.J., & Miller, C.T. (1987). Psychosocial characteristics of preschool siblings of handicapped and nonhandicapped children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 15(3),329-338.
26.
Mates, T.E. (1982, July). Which siblings of autistic children are at greater risk for the development of school andlor personality diffculties?Paper presented at the National Society for Autistic Children, Omaha, NE.
27.
Meyer, D.J., Vadasy, P.F., & Fewell, R.R. (1985). Sibshops: A handbook for implementing work. shops for siblings of children with special needs. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
28.
Piers, E.V., & Harris, D.E. (1969). The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (The Way I Feel About Myself). Nashville: Counselor Recordings and Tests.
29.
Piers, E.V. (1976). The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale: Research Monograph No. 1Nashville: Counselor Recordings and Tests.
30.
Pless, I.B., & Pinkerton, P. (1975). Chronic childhood disorder. London: Henry Kimpton Publishers.
31.
Powell, T.H., & Ogle, P.A. (1985). Brothers and sisters: A specialpart of exceptional families. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes .
32.
Stoneman, Z., Brody, G.H., Davis, C.H., & Crapps, J.M. (1987). Mentally retarded children and their same-sex siblings: Naturalistic in-home observations. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 92, 290-298.
33.
Sutton-Smith, B., & Rosenberg, B.G. (1970). The sibling. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.
34.
Tesser, A. (1980). Self-esteem maintenance in family dynamics. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 39, 77-91.
35.
Werner, E.E. (1979). How children influence children: The role of peers in the socialization process. Children Today, 8(2),11-15.
36.
Wylie, R. (1974). The self.concept (Vol. 1) (rev. ed.). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press .
37.
Zajonc, R.B. (1976). Family configuration and intelligence. Science, 192, 227-236.
