In recent years, the psychological and social dynamics experienced by adolescents growing up alongside siblings with cognitive-motor impairments have captured the attention of researchers worldwide. Shoghi, Seyed Fatemi, and Sharifian’s groundbreaking study, published in BMC Psychology in 2025, offers an unprecedented hermeneutic phenomenological exploration of these adolescents’ lived experiences. By meticulously unpacking the intricate emotional and cognitive landscapes of these youths, the study not only brings to light the subtle psychological nuances embedded in their day-to-day lives but also challenges prevailing assumptions about family dynamics in the context of disability.
Hermeneutic phenomenology, the methodological backbone of this research, enables an in-depth interpretation of the subjective experiences of adolescents who have grown up with siblings facing cognitive-motor impairments. Unlike traditional quantitative methods that may reduce human experiences to numerical data, this approach embraces the complexity and richness of lived reality, providing a textured understanding of how these adolescents make meaning of their familial roles. The researchers’ commitment to this qualitative paradigm breathes life into voices that are often marginalized or overlooked in psychological research, offering readers an authentic glimpse into the cognitive and emotional processes shaping these teenagers’ interactions within their families.
At the core of the study lies an exploration of the subtle emotional ambivalence characterizing these adolescents’ family relationships. On one hand, there is a profound sense of responsibility and protective instinct toward their siblings, which often manifests as heightened empathy and maturity. On the other hand, feelings of social isolation, frustration, and identity crisis frequently emerge as byproducts of growing up in an environment marked by caregiving demands and societal stigma. This duality, woven throughout the participants’ narratives, underscores the psychological complexity underpinning their development and highlights the often invisible emotional labor they bear.
The cognitive-motor impairments that their siblings face introduce a spectrum of challenges that reverberate within familial systems. These impairments not only affect physical mobility and cognitive functioning but also shape family routines, social interactions, and emotional climates. Adolescents often find themselves negotiating between typical developmental tasks such as building peer relationships and the extraordinary responsibilities that accompany caregiving and emotional support within these specialized family contexts. The study reveals how this negotiation is marked by dynamic shifts in identity and belonging, inevitably influencing adolescents’ psychosocial trajectories in profound ways.
One particularly striking dimension illuminated by the study concerns the coping strategies these adolescents develop over time. Adaptive mechanisms range from internal cognitive reframing—whereby challenges are integrated into their self-concept as sources of strength—to external strategies such as seeking social support outside the family unit. Importantly, the researchers identify how these coping mechanisms are not static but evolve in response to changing family dynamics, developmental stages, and external socio-cultural pressures. This temporal fluidity enriches our understanding of resilience from a phenomenological standpoint, moving beyond simplistic categorizations of vulnerability.
Moreover, the research emphasizes the critical role of communication patterns within families. Conversations surrounding the sibling’s impairment, family needs, and emotional states are often fraught with complexity, blending silence, unspoken tensions, and moments of acute openness. Adolescents navigate these communication landscapes with remarkable sensitivity, often sensing when to engage or withdraw to maintain familial harmony. These interpersonal dynamics have significant implications for how emotional support networks are constructed and maintained, offering fertile ground for clinical interventions tailored to improving family dialogues.
The socio-cultural context also emerges as a potent factor shaping these adolescents’ experiences. Cultural attitudes toward disability, societal inclusion policies, and access to supportive resources collectively influence how families manage cognitive-motor impairments. The study’s nuanced portrayal of these contextual factors underscores the intersectionality of disability, adolescence, and culture, pushing scholars to rethink universal assumptions and advocating for culturally responsive psychological support systems. This focus resonates deeply in a world where globalization and migration continuously reshape family compositions and cultural norms.
Importantly, the findings highlight the long-term psychological impacts these adolescents may endure. The burden of early caregiving roles can have lasting effects on educational attainment, career development, and interpersonal relationships. Conversely, the study documents transformative growth, where navigating these challenges fosters unique strengths such as empathy, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. This dual outcome positions these adolescents simultaneously as vulnerable populations needing support and as reservoirs of untapped psychological capital that, if nurtured, can contribute meaningfully to society.
From an applied perspective, the study’s insights carry significant implications for mental health practitioners, educators, and policymakers. Tailored psychological interventions that acknowledge the emotional ambivalence and complex identity negotiations these adolescents experience are urgently needed. Educational systems must adapt to accommodate the caregiving responsibilities that may affect attendance and academic performance, while social policies should enhance access to respite care and community-based support services. These recommendations aim to construct a holistic framework that improves quality of life and fosters the well-being of all family members.
Technologically advanced assistive tools and rehabilitation services also play a transformative role, as addressed indirectly in the study’s context. The integration of robotics, neurofeedback, and personalized cognitive therapies can alleviate some caregiving burdens and enhance sibling interactions. However, the study cautions that technology is not a panacea; psychosocial support and family cohesion remain foundational. Future research directions, therefore, include exploring how these technological interventions intersect with familial emotional dynamics and individual psychological adaptations.
The methodological rigor of the study is noteworthy. Employing in-depth interviews, thematic analysis, and iterative reflective practices ensured fidelity to participants’ authentic voices while maintaining analytical depth. The researchers’ reflexivity—acknowledging their own positionalities and potential biases—enhanced the study’s credibility and trustworthiness. This methodological transparency sets a benchmark for future qualitative inquiries into complex family systems and disability studies.
In sum, the study by Shoghi, Seyed Fatemi, and Sharifian dismantles reductive narratives by portraying adolescents not merely as passive witnesses to their siblings’ impairments but as active meaning-makers and resilient actors navigating uniquely challenging developmental landscapes. Their lived experiences, richly detailed in this research, call for a paradigm shift in psychological research, clinical practice, and social policy, foregrounding empathy, contextuality, and individualized support.
This pioneering work challenges the scientific community to broaden the scope of adolescent psychology and disability studies by incorporating hermeneutic phenomenological approaches that honor complexity and subjectivity. The implications extend beyond academic circles, inviting families, communities, and societies to recognize and validate the emotional realities of adolescents walking this difficult yet inspiring path.
Such recognition, coupled with evidence-based interventions and inclusive policies, can transform the invisible struggles of these adolescents into shared narratives of strength and hope. As society progresses toward greater inclusivity, understanding the nuanced interior worlds of adolescents growing up with siblings with cognitive-motor impairments becomes not only a matter of scientific inquiry but also of profound ethical responsibility.
The transformative insights from this research beckon continued exploration, as the intersection of adolescence, family disability, and psychological resilience remains ripe with undiscovered depths. Future studies might build on this foundation by integrating longitudinal designs, cross-cultural comparisons, and interdisciplinary approaches encompassing neuroscience, social work, and education.
In conclusion, Shoghi, Seyed Fatemi, and Sharifian provide a compelling window into the lived realities of a population often relegated to the margins. Their hermeneutic phenomenological lens reveals a tapestry of challenges, strengths, and coping strategies that enrich our understanding of human development under extraordinary conditions. This study not only advances psychological theory but also holds potent promise for shaping compassionate, informed practices that empower adolescents and their families worldwide.
Subject of Research: Adolescents’ lived experiences growing up with siblings with cognitive-motor impairments
Article Title: Lived experience of adolescents growing up with siblings with cognitive-motor impairments: a hermeneutic phenomenological study
Article References:
Shoghi, M., Seyed Fatemi, N. & Sharifian, P. Lived experience of adolescents growing up with siblings with cognitive-motor impairments: a hermeneutic phenomenological study. BMC Psychol 13, 878 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03215-9
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