The Role of Family Functioning in Promoting Adaptation in Siblings of Individuals With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

This study proposes to explore the role of family functioning in promoting adaptation in unaffected siblings of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Although evidence suggests that family functioning may be a predictor of adaptation in caregivers of children with chronic illnesses, little research has been conducted on the relationships between aspects of family functioning and the adaptation of unaffected siblings. Evidence in the literature suggests that aspects of family functioning may play a key role in adaptation. Moreover, the role of DMD-specific communication in facilitating sibling adaptation has not yet been explored in the literature and further insight may be derived from exploring this relationship. The goals of this study are to better understand the relationship of family functioning with the adaptation of unaffected siblings, as well as to explore the timing, extent (depth and content), and the characteristics of initiation of discussion of parent-sibling communication around DMD. Currently, some evidence exists to direct the creation of interventions that reinforce a family-centered approach to facilitate adaptation of family members to living with a child with a chronic health condition. Nevertheless, more insight is needed to understand how family processes affect individual adaptation, especially that of the unaffected sibling, in order to maximize the effectiveness of future interventions with this population.