The relationship between cerebral-palsied children and their siblings: a maternal perception
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Date
2017
Authors
Soames, Nicole Janet
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Abstract
The current research focused on the relationship between Cerebral-palsied (CP) children and their
siblings, from the mother’s perspective. Further, the impact of CP on the sibling relationship, and
the mother’s perceived involvement in her children’s sibling relationship, was explored. It is
evident that there is a lack of research and literature on this specific topic internationally, as well
as in South Africa. In addition, while there is an abundance of research concentrating on the
relationship between disabled siblings, few studies focus on this relationship from the mother’s
perspective. However, by researching maternal perceptions, an alternative view is provided as to
how these siblings interact and the relationship they form. A maternal perspective on sibling bonds
will be of benefit to mental health practitioners who come into contact, and work with, families
raising a child with CP and his or her sibling(s). Consequently, this study will add value to the
field of Educational Psychology, as well as Psychology in general, as topics around disability,
siblings, attachment and motherhood are often researched. The current qualitative study was
conducted through individual interviews with eight mothers who have a child with CP, as well as
another child who does not have CP (with the youngest child being at least two years of age). The
information collected was analysed through thematic analysis in order to identify any pertinent
themes amongst the mothers’ reported experiences. The main findings emphasise that mothers
perceive their children to have similar sibling relationships to that of non-disabled siblings.
Although similar, there are also many aspects that the participants mentioned which were ‘typical,
but not’ as typical to that of other, non-disabled sibling relationships. This highlights a uniqueness
to their children’s bond. Among numerous positive and negative differences between their
children’s relationships and those of other siblings, mothers identified feelings of guilt versus
jealousy in their children. Additionally, mothers reported on the continuous battle for attention
from their children. Finally, each mother was able to reflect on the role that she plays in her
children’s sibling relationship. This involved either intervening in the sibling relationship to ensure
her children develop a positive relationship or intervening less during conflict situations.
Description
A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Education in Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, April 2017
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Citation
Soames, Nicole Janet (2017) The relationship between cerebral-palsied children and their siblings: a maternal perception, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, <http://hdl.handle.net/10539/27732>