The health of parents and siblings of children with a developmental disability in British Columbia
Date
2018-07-23
Authors
Marquis, Sandra Maureen
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Abstract
This study used population level administrative data from the B. C. Ministry of Health to assess the health of parents and siblings of children who have a developmental disability. The study found strong evidence that parents and siblings of children who have a developmental disability experience higher odds of a depression or other mental health diagnosis compared to parents and siblings of children who do not have a developmental disability. In addition, there was evidence that in families with a child with a developmental disability, parents and siblings who are diagnosed with depression or another mental health problem visit physicians and/or the hospital to a greater extent than parents and siblings who are diagnosed with depression or a mental health problem but do not have a family member with a developmental disability. These findings indicate that parents and siblings of children who have a developmental disability are a vulnerable group in need of programs and services that support their mental health.
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Keywords
developmental disability, children, parents, siblings, health, depression, mental health