Well-being and perceived social support in individuals with a sibling with psychiatric disorders: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: When a psychiatric disorder emerges during adolescence, it can affect the daily functioning and well-being of the entire family, including siblings. This study aimed to explore the impact of having a sibling with psychiatric disorders, regardless of the specific diagnosis, on well-being and perceived social support of young adults. METHODS: A total of 86 participants (mean age 23 ± 2.59 and 80% women) with a sibling with psychiatric disorders (sibling of individuals with psychiatric disorder; P-sib) and 195 participants with a sibling without psychiatric disorder (control group; C-sib) (mean age 23 ± 2.73 and 74% women) were recruited. Familial characteristics (e.g., age, number of siblings), mental health (MHC-SF), perceived social support (MSPSS) and quality of the sibling relationship (ASRQ-Q) were assessed. Participants were recruited through dissemination on social medias and mental health centers. RESULTS: Findings indicate that siblings in the P-sib group reported significantly lower scores of emotional well-being and reduced perceived social support, particularly from friends and partners. Factors such as age of the affected sibling and daily virtual contact were found to protect these outcomes. Moreover, proximity and conflict in the sibling relationships appeared to exert a diverging effect on the mental health of the P-sib group compared with control. DISCUSSION: These results underline the specific experience of this population and the characteristics in the sibling relationship that might represent a risk for their well-being and perceived social support. Although further studies are needed, this research already highlights the importance of including them in the care process by providing targeted interventions.