Social Work Commons^™

Adult Sibling Loss: Family Dynamics And Individual Adult Sibling Loss: Family Dynamics And Individual Characteristics, Stephen D. Stahlman

Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated family, individual and sibling relationship variables of adult sibling loss, using a cross-sectional survey design. A purposive sampling procedure was used to recruit adult subjects that had experienced the death of an adult sibling within the last five years. Ninety-four subjects responded to the initial request with 84 subjects returning questionnaires for an 89% response rate. Family variables of communication, cohesion, and adaptability and individual variables of individuation, self esteem as well as level of grief were operationalized using standardized instruments through a mailed questionnaire.

It was predicted that significant relationships would be found between family …