Bertello, Marissa (2009) SibworkS: A Program Evaluation. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the SibworkS1 program, an Australian resilience program developed in 1999 by Strohm and Nesa (Siblings Australia, 2007) for children aged between 8 and 12 years whom have a sibling with special needs (target siblings). Target sibling adjustment is a salient factor identified in much of the research (Cuskelly, 1999; Hastings, 2003; Hodapp, 2007; Stoneman, 2001). Researchers have sought to establish why some siblings are enriched by the inclusion of a sibling with a disability whilst others are not. The belief that one’s ability to prosper in the face of adversity is referred to as resilience (Masten, 2009) and has resulted in the development of several resilience-based programs. Few resilience-based programs have been identified as being specifically designed to support the target sibling cohort (Dyson, 1998; McLinden, Miller & Deprey, 1991; Seligman, 1983). To evaluate the SibworkS program, this study recruited families through local government and non-government agencies. Recruitment resulted in seven participants completing the program. The 6-week SibworkS program was conducted by two facilitators, both under supervision. This study was multi-respondent; participants, parents and teachers completed pre-, post- and two-month follow-up questionnaires. Participants were measured on three domains of self-concept using the Self Description Questionnaire (SD; Marsh, 1990). Both parent and teacher versions of Goodman’s (1997) Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were employed to measure sibling behavioural adjustment. Parent reports of family dynamics were measured using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES-II) - Family version (Olson, Bell & Portner, 1982). Results of nonparametric statistical analyses indicated partial support for the SibworkS program SibworkS iv as an agent for building resilience in target siblings. Significant positive changes over the program evaluation period were observed on both participant-reported scores on academic self-concept (SD-TOTAC) and teacher-reported scores of prosocial behaviour (SDQ-T-TOTSTR). Large pre-program to program follow up effects were observed across all three participant-reported self concept scales (SD-TOTNON; SD-TOTAC; SD-TOTSLF) and parent-reported scores of problem behaviours (SDQ-P-TOTDIF). Moderate pre-program to program follow up and pre-program to program completion effects were observed on teacher reported scores of prosocial behaviour (SDQ-T-TOTSTR) and parent-reported scores of family cohesion (FACES-Cohesion). Due to the small sample size, power in this study has been compromised and therefore results should be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, these encouraging results warrant further investigation into the future assessment of the program’s efficacy with a larger sample. Results may also indicate that the development of an extended version of the program is also a consideration for future research.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Gavin Beccaria |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Aug 2025 02:09 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Aug 2025 02:09 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52159 |
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