Adult Siblings of Autistic Individuals in China: A Qualitative Study

In one sentence

This study explores the deeply personal experiences of adult siblings of autistic individuals in China, revealing a complex mix of cultural duty, emotional struggle, and identity sacrifice.

What the researchers did

Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with eight adult siblings (ages 22–38) of autistic individuals in China. All siblings were neurotypical (not autistic). The study used a qualitative method called Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, which focuses on understanding people's lived experiences in detail. Interviews were semi-structured, meaning the researchers had a guide but allowed conversations to flow naturally.

What they found

• Participants felt an "inescapable responsibility" rooted in Chinese cultural values of blood ties and family duty. They described caregiving as a natural, non-negotiable part of their role.
• Many experienced a painful contradiction: they felt deeply connected to their autistic sibling ("flesh-and-blood kin") yet emotionally isolated from others who did not understand their situation ("spiritual isolation").
• Siblings struggled to balance fulfilling others' expectations (parents, society) with losing their own identity and dreams. They often sacrificed personal goals, careers, and relationships.
• The core theme was "sacrificing for the family" — a unifying experience that brought both risk (e.g., giving up personal aspirations) and resilience (e.g., pride in being a family stabilizer).

What this means for families and therapists

• Recognize that adult siblings of autistic individuals carry a heavy, often invisible burden of responsibility. Ask them directly about their own needs and feelings.
• Create opportunities for siblings to connect with others in similar situations — peer support groups can reduce feelings of isolation.
• When planning support for a family, include siblings in conversations. They may need help negotiating their own life goals alongside family duties.

Limitations and what we don't know yet

• The study included only eight participants, all from China, so findings may not apply to other cultures or larger populations.
• All siblings were neurotypical; the experiences of autistic siblings of autistic individuals were not explored.
• The study relied on self-report and memory, which can be influenced by time and emotion.
• As a qualitative study, it describes experiences but does not measure outcomes or test interventions.

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This is a plain-language summary of Adult Siblings of Autistic Individuals in China: A Qualitative Study by Han F, Gao X, International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being (2026). Source license: CC-BY-NC. It is not medical advice — talk to a qualified clinician before changing therapy.