Background: Forty studies performed between 1970 and 1995 indicated that 60% of parents with children with developmental disabilities reported manifestations of increased risk or negative effects on the well siblings.
Method: A secondary data analysis was performed using qualitative data gathered during the baseline of a randomized controlled clinical trial of an intervention for siblings/families of children with long-term conditions, including developmental disabilities. Content analysis was used to identify themes from responses of 151 parents to an open-ended question on their perceptions of the effects on well siblings of living at home with a brother/sister with developmental disabilities.