Supporting siblings of children with serious illnesses through family engagement

Family partnership and community engagement to support AYA adaptation in serious pediatric illness

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10593193

This study is looking at how having a brother or sister with a serious illness affects the feelings and well-being of their siblings, and it aims to find ways to help these siblings cope better with their emotions and family life.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10593193 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the challenges faced by siblings of children with serious, life-limiting illnesses. It aims to explore how family communication and dynamics affect the emotional and psychological well-being of these siblings. By engaging families in the process, the research seeks to develop interventions that can help siblings cope with anxiety, depression, and other risks associated with their brother or sister's illness. The study will involve assessing family interactions and the impact of serious illness on family routines and relationships.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are siblings aged 0-21 of children with serious, life-limiting illnesses.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a sibling with a serious illness or who are not within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide valuable strategies to improve the mental health and overall well-being of siblings coping with a family member's serious illness.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically targeting sibling adaptation in pediatric palliative care, similar family-focused interventions have shown promise in improving communication and coping strategies in other contexts.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.