EXPLORING EMPATHY AND SOCIAL SELF-EFFICACY IN ADOLESCENTS WITH A SIBLING WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Abstract

This exploratory pilot study investigated levels of empathy, social-self efficacy, and psychological well-being in adolescents whose siblings have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there is a difference in the amount of empathy and social self-efficacy adolescent siblings of children with an ASD (TD-ASD pairs) possess compared to adolescent siblings of typically developing children (TD-TD pairs). The researcher hypothesized that TD-ASD sibling pairs would have higher levels of empathy and social self-efficacy when compared to TD-TD sibling pairs. It was also hypothesized that the two sibling groups would have similar levels of overall psychological well-being. Adolescents completed self-report measures pertaining to the three dependent variables. Statistical analyses were used to make comparisons among the two groups. Results of MANOVA and independent t-tests suggest that TD-ASD and TD-TD sibling pairs have similar overall levels of empathy, social self-efficacy, and psychological well-being. Further investigation into these constructs is warranted to provide more conclusive findings regarding the relationship between having a sibling with an ASD and the effects it may have on empathy, social self-efficacy, and psychological well-being in typically-developing siblings.