Supporting siblings of children with serious illnesses through family engagement
Official title: Family partnership and community engagement to support AYA adaptation in serious pediatric illness
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10593193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $460,197 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NR020374-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10593193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are siblings aged 0-21 of children with serious, life-limiting illnesses.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mooney-Doyle, Kim Elizabeth — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Mooney-Doyle, Kim Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.