The "well-sibling" syndrome: hypnosis for the siblings of special needs children

Often overlooked by caregivers because of their ability to adapt to a challenging home life by making few demands themselves, the siblings of special needs children have unacknowledged needs of their own. They often are reluctant to participate in therapy because of their self-concept of having to be the "normal" or "perfect" child. Therapy with these children requires non-pathologizing and attuned rapport building focused on creative self-exploration without requests for change. Two composite case vignettes illustrate the power and versatility of clinical hypnosis to facilitate new learning about becoming visible in the therapeutic relationship and beyond.

Consensus on the items for early identification of unmet psychosocial needs of siblings of children with cancer and blood disease: A modified Delphi method

AIM

To reach a consensus on question items for early identification of unmet psychosocial needs of school-aged siblings of children with cancer and blood disease.

DESIGN

Modified Delphi method.

METHODS

Twenty-three studies were reviewed to extract question items, which were classified into seven categories. A total of 39 question items were selected for this study. The selected question items were carefully considered using the modified Delphi method. The participants were 28 medical staff from a childhood cancer hub hospital and 20 sibling support group staff members. The first round consisted of a questionnaire (n = 48); the second, a focus group interview (n = 8) and the third, another questionnaire (n = 8). The first and third rounds used a 5-point Likert scale. This survey was conducted from July to October 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 38, 26, and 24 question items were included in the first, second, and third rounds respectively. A total of 24 question items were extracted using the modified Delphi method to identify siblings' unmet psychosocial needs: relationship with family members, 3; daily life issues, 4; stress, 6; emotions, 3; information, 3; relationships with medical staff, 1 and social and medical resources, 4. Seven categories and 24 question items were confirmed as items for identifying the unmet psychosocial needs of school-aged siblings of children with cancer and blood disease.

Young carers' experiences of having a "buddy" on the Buddies for Children and Youngsters programme in Denmark - A qualitative interview study

This qualitative study sheds light on how some young carers aged between 6- and 16-years experienced participation in a volunteer respite programme named Buddies for Children and Youngsters (BCY). The programme was held in Northern Denmark and was based on the knowledge that young carers need a space for respite and support through conversation. The young carers were healthy children who had experienced serious, chronic somatic or mental illness and/or death in their immediate family. Over a minimum 4-month period, students ("buddies") from University College of Northern Denmark offered respite to young carers in the form of their preferred social or other activities. From February to August 2020, 12 semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with young carers who had participated in the programme for at least 4 months. A thematic analysis generated four main themes: (1) A "buddy" is someone special, (2) feeling happier and less lonely, (3) Experiencing a social and personal influence, and (4) Experiencing influence on family life. Most of the young carers experienced a special relationship with their "buddy" - a relationship unlike but with some similarities to their relationships with peer friends and family, and one which gave them the opportunity for conversations about difficult topics. The time spent with the "buddy" was generally experienced as a respite space, leading to feelings of being happier and less lonely. Furthermore, for some of the young carers, the relationship influenced them socially and personally and caused their parents to pay more attention to them. The findings may increase awareness of young carers' experiences of support which can benefit future initiatives provided to this group.

Changes in Siblings Over Time After the Death of a Brother or Sister From Cancer

BACKGROUND

Limited research has examined the impact of a child's death from cancer on siblings. Even less is known about how these siblings change over time.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared changes in siblings 1 (T1) and 2 (T2) years after the death of a brother or sister from cancer based on bereaved parent and sibling interviews.

METHODS

Participants across 3 institutions represented 27 families and included bereaved mothers (n = 21), fathers (n = 15), and siblings (n = 26) ranging from 8 to 17 years old. Participants completed semistructured interviews. Content analysis identified emerging themes and included frequency counts of participant responses. McNemar tests examined differences in the frequency of responses between T1 and T2 data.

RESULTS

Participants reported similar types of changes in bereaved siblings at both time points, including changes in sibling relationships, life perspectives, their personal lives, and school performance. A new theme of "openness" emerged at T2. Frequencies of responses differed according to mother, father, or sibling informant. Overall, participants less frequently reported changes at T2 versus T1. Compared with findings in the first year, participants reported greater sibling maturity at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Overall changes in bereaved siblings continued over 2 years with less frequency over time, with the exception of increases in maturity and openness.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Providers can educate parents regarding the impact of death of a brother or sister over time. Nurses can foster open communication in surviving grieving siblings and parents as potential protective factors in families going through their grief.

Cancer-bereaved siblings' advice to peers - A nationwide follow-up survey

The aim of this nationwide survey was to explore, based on an open-ended question, cancer-bereaved siblings' advice to peers with a brother or sister with cancer. Half of the advice related to being with the ill sibling and cherishing the time together. Other advice related to the value of communicating about the situation, letting go of guilt, and living life as usual. The results highlight the importance of health care professionals, family, and others facilitating for siblings to spend time together and communicate openly.

The Impact of School Visits on Siblings of Children With Cancer

BACKGROUND

Childhood cancer affects the entire family. Siblings experience similar stress to that of the ill child, including anger, depression, jealousy, guilt, and social isolation. School reentry programs are shown to be positive interventions for patients, it is hypothesized that similar outcomes exist for siblings.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the feasibility of studying the impact of the Ontario Oncology Nurse School Visitation Program on the well-being and school adjustment of siblings of pediatric cancer patients.

METHODS

Fourteen sibling participants and parents completed a semistructured interview and the PedsQL^® questionnaire before and after a nurse school visit. School attendance was also compared and data were collected for logistics of study procedures.

RESULTS

The mode of data collection was agreeable and easy to plan and execute. School attendance showed a reduction of days missed; there was no significant impact on PedsQL results but the interviews yielded positive feedback.

CONCLUSIONS

The outlook for siblings improves with the support of family members and health care professionals. This pilot study provides hypotheses and design for future research.