Studying of coping strategies amongst the siblings of downs syndrome
European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine,
2023, Volume 10, Issue 2, Pages 1808-1815
Abstract
Downs Syndrome(DS) is also known as trisomy 21. It is a genetic disorder which results in delayed physical and mental growth, along with some typical physical features like flat and wide face, protruding tongue, short neck, small chin etc. If supported with proper love and care, people with DS can live happy and healthy life. According to some research, having a brother or sister with DS has many benefits. Brothers or sisters of the DS children experience many emotions, but mostly the positive ones. Siblings of brothers/sisters with Down syndrome showed closer, warmer sibling relationships, along with slightly better health, lower levels of depressive symptoms as compared to siblings of the children with autism. Research on coping strategies amongst the siblings of DS are very few in the Indian population. Hence, in this research, we wish to study the coping strategies amongst the siblings of the Downs Syndrome. Methodology: Ethical clearance from the Institutional ethics committee was taken before beginning of the study. The study was conducted on siblings of children with DS and the duration of the study was from September 2015 to August 2016. All parents and children have been explained about the nature of study and its application. Siblings of consecutive children attending the Paediatric research lab and satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled for study. 40 participants were included for the study. The Coping mechanisms used by siblings were assessed by using the ‘CHILDREN’S COPING STRATEGIES CHECKLIST REVISION 1 SCALE’. Each sibling had to go through interview. Result: In our study, it is found that majority of siblings (87.5%) used active and support seeking’ coping strategies while minority of them (27.5%) used distraction and avoidant coping strategies. Conclusion: Although most siblings were found to switch between styles, they were each found to have a predominant style of coping. Some of Siblings were found to engage in both problem-focused as well as avoidant/distraction coping strategies
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