Abstract :
Background: Growing up alongside a child with special needs (CWSN) reshapes family dynamics, potentially affecting typically developing (TD) siblings differently depending on birth position relative to the CWSN. Findings on birth-order effects remain inconsistent, and South Asian data are limited.
Objective: This study compared emotion regulation and behavioral difficulties between TD siblings born before versus after a CWSN, and tested whether expressive suppression mediates the birth-position–behavioral-difficulties relationship.
Method: A comparative cross-sectional design was used with 190 TD siblings (aged 10–18) recruited from special education centers in Lahore and Rawalpindi: Group 1 (born before CWSN; n = 87) and Group 2 (born after CWSN; n = 103). Participants completed the Urdu-validated Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Independent samples t-tests, correlations, and PROCESS Model 4 mediation were used.
Results: Group 2 reported significantly higher expressive suppression and behavioral difficulties than Group 1, with medium effect sizes. The cognitive reappraisal difference was small. Expressive suppression partially mediated the birth-position–behavioral-difficulties relationship.
Conclusion: Birth position relative to a CWSN is associated with differential emotion regulation and behavioral outcomes, largely through expressive suppression, supporting birth-position-sensitive, culturally responsive interventions for TD siblings in Pakistani families.