Adolescent siblings of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder: testing a diathesis-stress model of sibling well-being

J Autism Dev Disord. 2009 Jul;39(7):1053-65. doi: 10.1007/s10803-009-0722-7. Epub 2009 Mar 17.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test a diathesis-stress model of well-being for siblings who have a brother or sister with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Data were collected from 57 adolescents and their mothers. Sisters reported higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms than brothers. Having a family history of ASDs was associated with depressive, but not anxiety, symptoms. A high level of maternal depression was also associated with more depressive and anxiety symptoms. A diathesis-stress model was partially supported, primarily through the findings that sibling sub-threshold autism characteristics were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in siblings, but only in the presence of a high number of stressful life events.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Autistic Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sibling Relations
  • Siblings / psychology*
  • Social Environment
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires