The quality of family relationships for siblings of children with mental health problems: a 20-year systematic review

While it is well recognized that family relationships have a significant impact on child mental health and vice versa, little research has examined the impact of living with a child with mental health problems (MHPs) on family relationships for their siblings. This report aims to synthesize the existing literature and comment on the current state of evidence. An electronic search of publications from 1990 to 2011 was conducted and 22 studies were included. The findings show that families of children with MHPs have less positive (e.g. less supportive) and more negative (e.g. more conflictual, aggressive) sibling relationships and more negative parent-sibling relationships compared to control families. Exceptions were sibling relationships in families of children with conduct disorder (more positive) and anxiety disorders (not significantly different from controls). Limitations of the existing literature include the types of measures used and the use of single informants. Methodological guidelines for future studies are outlined.