Self-reported Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and Anxiety Among Greek School-Age Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Relation to Parental Mental Health and Social Support.

Koukouriki et al. (2020) asked Greek school-age brothers and sisters of kids with autism how anxious they felt and how healthy their life felt. They also asked moms and dads about their own anxiety and about how much help they get from friends, family, and services. The team used paper surveys, not treatment.

The sample was one group of families in Greece. No one was given therapy as part of the study.

Siblings of children with autism scored higher on anxiety and lower on quality-of-life than siblings of typically developing children. When parents reported high anxiety, their children’s anxiety also ran high. When families felt they had strong social support, the siblings’ quality-of-life improved.

İ et al. (2024) extends this picture. During COVID lockdowns in Turkey, parental social support dropped while child hyperactivity rose, showing the same link between support and child adjustment in a crisis.

Wang et al. (2025) zooms in day-by-day. Daily diaries from Chinese parents revealed that each jump in social support predicted better mood the same day and the next, backing the Greek claim that support matters quickly.

Gallagher et al. (2012) adds a physical angle. Caregivers of kids with developmental disabilities had lower blood pressure when they felt more supported, matching the Greek finding that support boosts well-being across family members.

You already screen the child with autism. Add a two-minute sibling anxiety check at intake. Hand parents a brief social-support map: list local grandparent hours, parent groups, and respite vouchers. Lowering parent anxiety and raising family support can shrink sibling worry without extra therapy hours.