The Role of Siblings in Pediatric Pain

The proposed research explores the impact of pediatric chronic pain on siblings. Although this population has not received much research attention, the findings of preliminary studies suggest having a sibling with chronic pain can have a negative impact on both physical and psychological functioning. The objectives of the proposed study are to compare self-reported pain, responses to siblings' pain, psychological and daily functioning, and the sibling relationship quality between siblings of youth with chronic pain, chronic illness, and healthy siblings. The sample will include 150 sibling dyads (aged 10-17 years), composed of three groups: 1) one sibling will have chronic pain and one will be healthy; 2) one sibling will have a chronic illness (e.g., diabetes) and one will be healthy; and 3) both siblings will be healthy. The study utilizes a multi-method design. Healthy siblings will complete questionnaires examining their physical health symptoms, emotional and behavioural functioning, the sibling relationship quality, and their responses to their siblings' pain. Siblings will both complete an experimental pain task. The healthy sibling will report their pain intensity following the task, and the healthy participants' responses to their siblings' pain while they complete the pain task will be coded. Siblings will also complete a problem-solving sibling interaction task, and their behaviour will be coded to assess sibling relationship quality. Finally, siblings of youth with chronic pain will take part in a semi-structured interview. The findings of the proposed study have potential to provide information that could be useful to clinicians, and may support the relevance of examining mental health and pain in siblings of chronic pain patients for early identification of potential difficulties in this vulnerable group.