Method Matters: Comparing Cancer-Related Adjustment of Siblings to Norms and Well-matched Peers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to better understand conflicting findings in the literature regarding the adjustment of siblings of children with cancer by examining, in a single sample, differences in patterns of results as a function of reporter and comparator used (i.e., population norms, demographically matched classmates). METHOD: Self- and parent-report standardized measures of depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems were collected for 67 siblings and 67 demographically matched classmates. Comparisons were made to norms and controls. RESULTS: Siblings consistently demonstrated poorer psychosocial functioning than their demographically matched peers across all measures but..