Abstract
Past research has failed to adequately address the impact addiction has on siblings. Available research on chronic illness and disability was perused because it has been established that addiction follows a similar maladaptive coping pattern in family members as chronic illness. The present study focused on the experiences of siblings of addicts by measuring loneliness, anxiety, and self-esteem, and how locus of control orientation and gender might play a role. The sample (n = 145; female n= 107) was comprised of participants between the ages of 18 and 49 years ( M= 23.37 years, SD = 6.67 years) who were siblings of addicts. It was hypothesized that siblings of addicts who subscribe to an internal locus of control exhibit a significantly lower level of loneliness, a lower level of anxiety, and a higher degree of anxiety as compared to siblings of addicts who subscribed to an external locus of control. It was also predicted that male siblings of addicts would experience less loneliness, less anxiety, and higher self-esteem than female siblings of addicts. Finally, it was predicted that male siblings of addicts who subscribed to an internal locus of control would exhibit a significantly lower level of loneliness as compared to all other groups. The findings indicated individuals who subscribed to an internal locus of control had significantly higher levels of self-esteem and significantly lower levels of loneliness and anxiety; however, there was no difference between males and females. Limitations, implications, and future directions for research were discussed.