Growing up with a sibling suffering mental ill health: the positive and negative lived experience of vicarious exposure

The potential negative impact of a child’s mental ill-health on a parent or carer is well known. However, little research has explored the impact it can have on a sibling. This Phenomenological study explored the positive and negative subjective interpretations of growing up with a sibling with mental ill-health from an adult perspective. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, semi-structured interviews from a purposive sample of five adult participants provided data for analysis. Two major superordinate themes emerged from the data: Relics and birthright and Growing me. Relics and birthright overarch three subordinate themes: Unease of childhood; Sibling bond whether you like it or not; The legacy of intimate dysfunction. Growing me overarches four subordinate themes: Mental health empathy; The Choice to Grow; Redefining and healing myself; and Life truths I’ve learned along the way. Thematically, findings capture a journey through childhood of unpredictability, disenfranchised grief, and the utilisation of strategies necessary to stay safe. A dichotomous sibling bond was splattered with the intensity of disappointment, blame and sadness juxtaposed with moments of excitement, fun and grateful joy. Entering adulthood, participants cultivated an empathic perspective towards others with mental ill-health which promoted acts of compassion and kindness. Ultimately, with acceptance that life is a journey with no destination, fear, uncertainty, and loss in childhood facilitated strengths in adult life. Findings highlighted that over time, posttrauma growth emerged for these participants out of protracted childhood trauma from growing up with a sibling whose life was impacted by mental ill-health.