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BJSW Advance Access published online on August 6, 2009
British Journal of Social Work, doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcp088
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

Brothers and Sisters of Disabled Children: The Experience of Disability by Association

Peter Burke

Peter Burke is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Hull in the Department of Social Sciences. He has been involved in research concerning the social impact of disability on the family for nearly twenty years, initially stemming from personal family experiences. His recent published books include: (as single author) Brothers and Sisters of Disabled Children (2004), Disability and Impairment: Working with Children and Families (2008), and (as joint editor with Jonathan Parker) Social Work and Disadvantage: Addressing Issues of Stigma through Association (2007), works published by Jessica Kingsley.

Correspondence to Peter Burke, Department of Social Sciences, University of Hull, HU6 7RX. E-mail: p.c.burke{at}hull.ac.uk


  Abstract

This paper examines the impact of childhood disability on brothers and sisters in the family. Evidence is drawn from two research studies undertaken by the author, mainly within the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire region of the UK, and demonstrates that siblings experience ‘disability by association’ due to the interactive effect of living with a disabled brother or sister. The intent is not to suggest that disability itself is causal in this relationship; rather, it is to improve our understanding of how disability impacts on the family, is reacted to by others in the wider social setting and how, in turn, this impacts on siblings. This research comments on the family experience, utilising both quantitative and qualitative data drawn from 116 families with 344 children, of whom 118 had a disability. The experience of living with a disabled brother or sister is evidenced by both positive and negative effects on the families participating in the research. Themes explored include the nature of siblings' caring activities, disadvantage and restrictions, together with a need to inform professional assessments of sibling needs.

Keywords: Association, disability, participation, stigma


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