LAUSR

OBJECTIVES This study examined the mental health of siblings of children with physical illness, with or without co-occurring mental illness. METHODS The sample included children aged 2 to 16 years with a chronic physical illness and their aged-matched healthy siblings (n=169 dyads). Physical-mental co-morbidity was present if children screened positive for ≥1 mental illness on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents. Parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to measure child and sibling mental health. RESULTS Within child-sibling dyads, siblings of children with physical illness (PI) had significantly worse mental health related to conduct problems (d=0.31), peer problems (d=0.18), and total difficulties (d=0.20). Siblings of children with physical-mental co-morbidity (PM) had significantly better mental health related to emotional problems (d=0.42), hyperactivity/inattention (d=0.23), and total difficulties (d=0.32). Siblings of children with PI had similar mental health compared to child population norms used in the development of the SDQ. In contrast, siblings of children with PM had significantly worse mental health across all SDQ domains, with the exception of prosocial behavior. After adjusting for parent psychopathology and family functioning, no statistically significant differences between siblings of children with PM versus siblings of children with PI were found. CONCLUSIONS Differences in mental health exist between children with PI or PM versus their healthy siblings. However, differences between siblings of children with PI versus siblings of children with PM can be explained by parental and family factors (e.g., marital status, education, income). Findings reinforce family-centered approaches to address the needs of children with PI or PM and their families.