Psychological Adjustment, Self Concept and Academic Performance of Typical Siblings of Children with Autism

Abstract

The current research was designed to explore the psychological adjustment, self concept and academic performance of typical siblings of children with autism. It was hypothesized that: the typical siblings of children with autism would show poorer psychological adjustment, self concept and academic performance than the siblings of normal children; the mothers of children with autism would experience more depression, stress and anxiety than mothers of normal children; the family environment of these children would be poorer; maternal depression, anxiety, stress and family environment would predict psychological adjustment, self concept and academic performance of the typical siblings. The study was quantitative and used a between group design. The total sample comprised of 310 participants with 5 subsets i.e. Children with autism (n=62), their typical siblings (n=62), their mothers (n=62); normal controls i.e. siblings of normal children (n=62) and their mothers (n=62). CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale) was used to assess the severity of autism. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, Urdu translated version), Piers Harris Self Concept Scale and Ravens Progressive Matrices were used to assess the psychological adjustment, self concept and mental ability of the siblings respectively. The academic performance of siblings was assessed through the mean of their past two results. Depression Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS) was used to assess mothers‟ psychological health while the Family environment was assessed through Family Environment Scale (FES). The data was analyzed using independent sample t test, correlation coefficient, hierarchical regression analysis and path analysis. Psychological adjustment and self concept of typical siblings of children with autism were significantly poorer than siblings of normal children. The mothers of children with autism were more stressed out than the mothers of normal children. Presence of a child with autism was a significant predictor of psychological mal-adjustment, emotional symptoms, conduct problems and peer related problems in their siblings, poor self concept, behavioral mal-adjustment and scholastic status, popularity, happiness and satisfaction of siblings. Maternal stress, lack of acceptance and care and conflict within the family environment moderated the relationship between child with autism and psychological adjustment of their siblings. Results of path analysis revealed significant effect of maternal depression on psychological adjustment, pro- social behavior and academic performance; and of maternal stress on pro-social behavior and self-concept of siblings. Family conflict showed significant effect on psychological adjustment and pro-social behavior; family control showed significant effect on self-concept. Implications of these findings for clinicians, mental health professionals and researchers have been discussed with focus on the Pakistani cultural context.