Role Dynamics as Evinced by Typically Developing Siblings in the Lives of Brothers or Sisters with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to identify and outline the dynamics of the roles that siblings assume from their childhood to adulthood in interactions with a brother or sister with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. These roles are integrated into the system of the family of origin, as viewed by the siblings themselves. The research material comprised information obtained from typically developing siblings of persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Enrolled in the study were a total of 18 people. The analytical method relied on open and axial coding performed by means of grounded theory methodology procedures. This study allowed to identify three key dimensions relevant to role dynamics: the shifting competencies of siblings over time; the progressive increase in the siblings’ awareness of the significance of the role they played; the metamorphoses of how the siblings perceived the roles. This study demonstrates that the roles played by siblings are likely to change over the course of a lifetime. The findings yielded by the research presented reveal exactly how these roles evolve throughout the siblings’ lives. In line with the research outcomes, there emerges a clear pattern of a succession of roles, involving a gradually increasing degree of responsibility, embraced by the siblings as they grow up and mature.