Conectar
To explore the existential lived experiences of emerging adult siblings of children with complex care needs.
A qualitative phenomenological design.
In-depth conversational interviews were conducted between February and June 2022 with nine emerging adult siblings (aged 16–27), who grew up with a brother or sister with complex care needs. Data were analysed using van Manen's phenomenology of practice approach.
Five core themes were identified: Loss of a familiar world: the profound changes and disruptions in siblings' lives. The sibling bond: endured and enduring love. Embracing the load: balancing responsibilities. Being behind the scenes: a lonely childhood. Jigsaw falling into place: siblings finding clarity and forging their own paths.
Early experiences of growing up with a sibling who has complex care needs, may resurface or shift in meaning, impacting long-term existential well-being, particularly when siblings feel overlooked by families, educators, and healthcare professionals. These silenced experiences often persist into emerging adulthood, shaping emotional health, relationships, and life choices.
The underrecognized existential needs of these siblings call for intentional, person-centred care. Our research advocates early, targeted interventions, emphasizing the pivotal role of nurses. A lifeworld-led phenomenological approach equips nurses to more effectively attend to the unmet needs of siblings within family care settings.
The research followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.
Emerging adult siblings with lived experience of growing up alongside a brother or sister with complex care needs contributed important insights into the interpretation of findings, ensuring relevance to clinical nursing.
This study aims to (1) understand the impact of having a child with complex care needs in the family and (2) explore how siblings and parents experience the Sibling Talks intervention.
A qualitative exploratory design.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six siblings and 10 parents from seven families after completing the Sibling Talks intervention between January 2023 and April 2023. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.
The analysis identified four themes, with separate findings for siblings and parents. Siblings described the impact of having a sibling with complex care needs as ‘Struggling to find their role and to understand themselves’ and their experiences with dialogues in Sibling Talks as ‘The importance of support from the school nurse’. Parents described their experience of their family situation as ‘A balancing act of care and other responsibilities’ and noted a shift ‘From scepticism to relief’ regarding the dialogues in Sibling Talks.
Sibling Talks facilitated open communication between siblings and parents, helping parents gain a deeper understanding of their children's perspectives. Sessions with nurses were experienced as respectful and caring, allowing siblings' perspectives to be heard and enhancing family interaction.
This study provides new insights into siblings' needs and how nurses can approach and communicate with siblings and parents, highlighting positive experiences with the Sibling Talks intervention.
The study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).
There was no patient or public contribution.
FreshRSS 