Beyond Adversity: Character Strengths and Positive Outcomes in Siblings of Individuals with Physical or Mental Disorders

A child’s physical or mental health condition impacts their entire family system, including the siblings. While earlier research has emphasized increased stress and reduced quality of life among siblings, more recent studies show variation in adjustment, including positive experiences and personal development. This study examined how character strengths can support siblings of individuals with conditions to navigate daily challenges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 Dutch young adults and the Virtues in Action Inventory of Strengths Positive (VIA-IS-P) questionnaire was used to identify participants’ top five signature strengths. Our findings highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of siblings’ experiences, which involve both significant challenges and meaningful positive aspects. We identified six mechanisms through which character strengths act as supportive factors: helping to understand the situation, to accept the situation, differentiate behavior from the individual, manage challenges and provocations, to recognize growth, and look at the bright side. Aside from these main findings, participants noted that character strengths can also have drawbacks when overused, underscoring the need for a nuanced understanding of strengths in this context. Finally, post-hoc findings suggest that birth order shapes how siblings cope with the situation. Older siblings demonstrate traits more related to understanding the situation, whereas younger siblings at accepting the situation. Overall, our findings indicate that character strengths support resilience and contribute to positive outcomes, demonstrating the potential for growth from challenging experiences.