Study: The empathy of children whose siblings with intellectual disabilities are higher

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Have siblings with intellectual disabilities turned out to have a more positive impact on empathy and the closeness of a child, than child who have siblings in general.

These findings were reported in research conducted by Tel Aviv University and the University of Haifa in Israel. The study, which was released in early January 2020, is published in Research in Development Disabilities.

Researchers conducted research on the relationships children developed with siblings, with or without intellectual disabilities, through artwork and questionnaires.

“Having a child with a disability in the family places unique demands on all family members, including growing siblings,” said Professor Anat Zaidman-Zait of Tel Aviv University’s Department of School Counseling and Special Education.

“Despite the challenges, these challenges are often accompanied by positive short-term and long-term contributions,” said Zaidman-Zait who is the study’s researcher. Science Daily on Friday (16/4/2021).

In their study, Zaidman-Zait said that they found that relationships between children and siblings with intellectual disabilities were more supportive than relationships between siblings in general.

“In particular, we found children with siblings with disabilities intellectuals score higher on empathy, teaching, and closeness and score lower on conflict and competition than normally developed siblings. “

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