The participation of children in caregiving of their siblings with special needs and peer relationship in rural Turkey

This article examines the participation process of elder siblings in caregiving for their siblings with special needs and how this participation process reflects in their peer relationships in rural context in Turkey. This study was carried out as a case study, which is one of the qualitative methods and as a data collection tool a semi-structured interview form was used. The participants of the study consist of the elder sisters and brothers of children in preschool period who have disabilities with various types and degrees. When the findings of the study are examined, it is seen that the elder siblings are responsible for and actively involved in the caregiving practices of their younger siblings in rural context in Turkey. The roles and responsibilities taken on by the elder siblings can shorten the period of their interaction with their peers.