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

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Alexis Deihl Jewell (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

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.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2017

Keywords

self-efficacy

Subjects

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