Childhood Caregiving Roles, Perceptions of Benefits, and Future Caregiving Intentions Among Typically Developing Adult Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Typically developing siblings (TDS) of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently serve as caregivers during childhood, known as parentification, and primary caregivers for siblings in adulthood. In order to evaluate mechanisms linking these roles, we surveyed emerging-adult TDS (N = 108) about childhood parentification roles caring for parents and siblings, current perceptions of benefits associated with ASD and with engaging in parentification, and intention to provide future caregiving. We hypothesized that parent-focused parentification would negatively impact caregiving intention via perception of decreased benefits whereas sibling-focused parentification would positively impact intention via perception of increased benefits. Results indicate that parent-focused parentification is common and associated with fewer perceived benefits of caregiving and less intention to provide future caregiving. Prevention implications are discussed.