Article

Adults with moderate or severe cerebral palsy often require significant
lifetime support from family and formal services. The aim of this study was to
use a life course approach to explore how previous life experiences impact on the
later life relationships of people with moderate to severe cerebral palsy aged 40
years and over and their non-disabled siblings. METHOD: Twelve adults with
moderate to severe cerebral palsy and 16 of their non-disabled siblings were
interviewed twice to explore their relationships. Constructivist grounded theory
method was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Four themes were identified as
important in understanding these later life sibling relationships: sharing
childhood experiences, contact in adulthood, diminishing parental role and
increasing support needs. CONCLUSIONS: The life course approach indicated that
siblings' growing up together was important for the development and maintenance
of emotional closeness later in life. Emotional closeness and familial obligation
were important factors in motivating siblings with and without cerebral palsy to
maintain or re-establish contact with each other in adulthood. Maintenance of
sibling relationships in later life is dependent on health, proximity and the
ability to keep in contact with each other. Implications for Rehabilitation As
adults with severe cerebral palsy live longer, their relationships with
non-disabled siblings often take on increased importance and particularly as
their parents may be no longer able to provide support. Service providers have a
role in helping ageing siblings with and without disability to maintain and build
their relationships, for example, by supporting geographically distant siblings
to keep in touch. Service providers have a role in supporting the person with a
disability and their siblings to make plans for the future.

Langue : ANGLAIS