👤 Charles M Borduin

This study aimed to identify profiles of autistic youths' sibling relations and examined if social-ecological variables (i.e., youth characteristics, family and caregiver functioning, peer relations, academic performance) were associated with these profiles. Caregivers (N = 2,142; 88.1% mothers) of autistic youths aged 6-17 years (M = 11.07 years; SD = 3.17; 80.1% male) completed electronic measures assessing social-ecological variables and youths' sibling relations. We used a latent profile analysis (LPA) to define sibling relation profiles based on the qualities (emotional support, companionship, conflict, and criticism) of relations between autistic youths and their closest-in-age siblings. We performed ANOVAs to compare sibling profiles on social-ecological variables. The LPA yielded a 3-profile solution: a positive group (18.2%), a negative group (17.2%), and a low engagement group (64.5%). ANOVAs and χ Most sibling relations among autistic youth fit a low engagement profile based on caregiver report. Positive sibling relations were linked with positive functioning in other social-ecological domains. The nature of these linkages warrants further investigation, particularly using longitudinal, multi-informant, and mixed-method designs. Show less