Separation Reactions of Hospitalized Children's Healthy Siblings
Separation Reactions of Hospitalized Children's Healthy Siblings
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Issue Date
1988
Authors
Ortiz, Cynthia
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Journal ISSN
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore healthy children's experiences and reactions to their brothers' or sisters' illness and hospitalization. The study is an exploratory study based on the reactions of 10 healthy, male and female, Bay Area children. The well children's responses indicated that they experienced a struggle surrounding the experience, and were involved in various sources of conflict. Some examples of their conflicts include: wanting to know more about the incident; insecurity in approaching parents about the matter; shame and embarrassment; guilt; fears of becoming ill; fears of siblings' abnormalities; and general confusion surrounding their siblings' hospitalization. Most of the children alluded to the fact that having a brother or sister with special needs makes them feel different than "other kids," and the illness altered the quality of their interactions with their ill siblings and with their parents. The findings demonstrate that healthy siblings of hospitalized children need to be recognized and considered not only when the hospitalization is taking place, but before and especially after the experience.