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Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran, (Corresponding Author) , m.b.h.hasanvand06@atu.ac.ir
Abstract: (29 Views)
Background: Despite the "Law for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" in 2017, the needs and psychological, emotional, and social pressures on the siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities have been overlooked. These individuals, who serve as informal caregivers, face numerous challenges, yet their experiences have been rarely studied. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of these siblings (across four main dimensions) to fill this research gap. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide guidance for designing psychological interventions and supportive policies for this group.
Aims: The present study aimed to review the lived experiences of siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Sampling was purposive and convenience-based, and the participants included 10 siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities, aged 20 to 50 years. The research instrument consisted of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities, conducted in 2025 in Isfahan Province. The extracted data were analyzed with the MAXQDA software, employing the Claisy method.
Results: The findings obtained from interviews with siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities included four main themes: Emotional Relationships and Family Responsibilities (including the subthemes of affection and compassion, intimacy and attachment, continuous caregiving, and assuming a parental role); Psychological and Social Challenges (including the subthemes of constant worry, anger and burnout, social discrimination, and lack of familial and institutional support); Future-Related Challenges (with two subthemes: educational, occupational, and marital limitations, and uncertainty after the parents); and Finding Meaning and Positive Coping Strategies (with two subthemes: religious faith and hope for improvement and change).
Conclusion: This study concludes that sibling relationships are characterized by deep attachment and mutual affection, while simultaneously placing a significant burden of responsibility and personal sacrifice on these individuals. The findings have important implications for improving the psychological and social support for siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities. These results can contribute to the design of educational programs, counseling, and psychological interventions to reduce the burden of responsibility and psychological pressure on these caregivers
Aims: The present study aimed to review the lived experiences of siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Sampling was purposive and convenience-based, and the participants included 10 siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities, aged 20 to 50 years. The research instrument consisted of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities, conducted in 2025 in Isfahan Province. The extracted data were analyzed with the MAXQDA software, employing the Claisy method.
Results: The findings obtained from interviews with siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities included four main themes: Emotional Relationships and Family Responsibilities (including the subthemes of affection and compassion, intimacy and attachment, continuous caregiving, and assuming a parental role); Psychological and Social Challenges (including the subthemes of constant worry, anger and burnout, social discrimination, and lack of familial and institutional support); Future-Related Challenges (with two subthemes: educational, occupational, and marital limitations, and uncertainty after the parents); and Finding Meaning and Positive Coping Strategies (with two subthemes: religious faith and hope for improvement and change).
Conclusion: This study concludes that sibling relationships are characterized by deep attachment and mutual affection, while simultaneously placing a significant burden of responsibility and personal sacrifice on these individuals. The findings have important implications for improving the psychological and social support for siblings of individuals with intellectual disabilities. These results can contribute to the design of educational programs, counseling, and psychological interventions to reduce the burden of responsibility and psychological pressure on these caregivers
Article number: 7
Keywords: Intellectual disability Siblings' needs, Descriptive phenomenology, Psychosocial challenges
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/09/23 | Accepted: 2026/06/10 | Published: 2026/09/23
Received: 2025/09/23 | Accepted: 2026/06/10 | Published: 2026/09/23
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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License. |
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)