Parental influence on sibling caregiving for people with severe mental illness

Adult siblings of people with serious mental illness are increasingly being called upon to serve as caregivers for their loved ones. The present study investigated 11 adults' reports of their relationships with their afflicted siblings and with their parents in an attempt to explain well siblings' reports of. (1) current caregiving, (2) hypothetical caregiving willingness, and (3) future intention to care for their brother or sister with mental illness. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicate that perceived sibling need, sibling affection, reciprocity with ill siblings, felt obligation toward parents, and parental requests for help with caregiving are associated with current sibling caregiving. Findings also suggest that adults' beliefs about their ill siblings' need for assistance and their parents' need for assistance are related to future sibling caregiving intentions. The implications of these findings for researchers and mental health professionals are discussed.