Die verhouding tussen kinders met matige intellektuele gestremdhede en hulle sibbe : ouers se belewenis

Abstract

When a child is diagnosed with an intellectual disability, a unique relationship develops between the siblings. This relationship between the siblings may include various elements and challenges, and raises great concern for parents when they need to intervene in their children's relationships. The aim of this study was therefore to explore and describe parents’ experiences of the relationship between their child with an intellectual disability and the child’s siblings. The results can contribute to a better understanding of the unique relationship between siblings where one has an intellectual disability and can create an awareness of all the siblings' needs in the family. Ten parents in Pretoria with a child with an intellectual disability and with at least one sibling without a disability between the ages of 6 and 12 years, which is also know as the period of middle childhood participated in the study. Qualitative research with an interpretive descriptive design was used in order to gain a true understanding of the parents' experiences. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the parents as well as through the use of reflective journals that gave the parents the opportunity to describe and reflect on their experience of their children's relationships at home. The transcribed interviews and reflective journals were analysed using thematic content analysis. Trustworthiness was ensured by applying Lincoln and Guba's model of trustworthiness. The researcher found that the majority of parents experienced the relationships between siblings as unique and challenging. Parents reported positive contributions such as compassion, empathy and maturity that were evident in the siblings' relationships. Negative experiencesbetween siblings included the lack of an intimate relationship, embarrassment, anger, frustration and resentment. Most parents also revealed that intellectual disabilities are not widely understood by society and specifically by their peers. This poses particular challenges to the relationship between siblings. A need for siblings to meet other children who have siblings with intellectual disabilities was identified and can be recommended for future research