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A Contribution to the Psychological Study of Interpersonal Relations in Twins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

F. Cacciaguerra*
Affiliation:
Centro Auxologico Italiano di Piancavallo e Cattedra di Psicologia Applicata, Università Cattolica, Milano
*
Centro Auxologico Italiano, Via L. Ariosto 13, 10145 Milano, Italy

Abstract

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A sample of 71 twin pairs (32 MZ, 39 DZ), of mean age 9.7 years, has been studied through various techniques in order to better understanding the interpersonal relation of twins, both within the pair and with respect to the members of the family group, and especially the mother. Zygosity, dominance, and birth order have been taken into account. The relation between MZ twins appears to be somehow less special than believed, whereas a special triadic relation appears to exist with the mother. A differentiated research of identity in MZs and autonomy in DZs is also noted (which contributes to a better understanding of problems of schizophrenia in twins). Finally, the relation between MZ cotwins shows mutual similarity and attachment to be lower than foreseen and, anyhow, of a far from misterious nature.

Riassunto

RIASSUNTO

Sono state studiate 71 coppie di gemelli, di cui 32 MZ e 39 DZ, di età media 9,7 anni, con tecniche proiettive, colloqui e attribuzioni preferenziali, al fine di chiarire il rapporto interpersonale dei gemelli, sia all'interno della coppia che nei confronti dei componenti il gruppo familiare, in particolare la madre. Sono state controllate anche le differenze attribuibili a zigotismo, dominanza e ordine di genitura. I risultati attenuano la particolarità del rapporto tra MZ, evidenziando invece un rapporto triadico con la madre di tipo speciale. Emerge, inoltre, la ricerca differenziata del senso di identità nei MZ e di autonomia nei DZ, che contribuisce alla comprensione del problema della schizofrenia nei gemelli, ed appare un rapporto tra i MZ in cui la similarità e l'attaccamento reciproci sono inferiori al prevedibile e comunque di natura non misteriosa.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉ

Un échantillon de 71 couples de jumeaux (32 MZ, 39 DZ), d'âge moyen 9,7 ans, a été étudié, moyennant différentes techniques, afin d'éclaircir le rapport interpersonnel des jumeaux, soit au sein du couple, soit vis à vis des membres du groupe familial, notamment la mère. La zygosité, la dominance et l'ordre de naissance ont été considérés. Les résultats indiquent que le rapport entre jumeaux MZ n'est pas de nature si spéciale que l'on avait supposé, alors qu'un rapport spécial, triadique, paraît exister avec la mère. l'on remarque encore une recherche différenciée du sensé d'identité chez les MZ et d'autonomie chez les DZ, ce qui contribue à la compréhension du problème de la schizophrénie chez les jumeaux. Le rapport entre les jumeaux MZ indique enfin que leur similarité et attachement sont inférieurs à ce qu'on aurait supposé et, de toute façon, de nature non mystérieuse.

Zusammenfassung

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG

Um das interpersonelle Verhältnis von Zwillingen einerseits unter sich, andererseits zu ihren Familienmitgliedern, insbesondere zur Mutter, zu klären wurden 71 Zwillingspaare (32 EZ und 39 ZZ; Durchschnittsalter 9,7 J.) Projektionstests, Unterredungen und vorzugsweiser Zuerkennung unterzogen. Auch die durch Eiigkeit, Dominanz und Geburtsreihenfolge bedingten Unterschiede wurden geprüft. Die Ergebnisse weisen weniger auf eine Sonderbeziehung zwischen EZ hin, als auf eine charakteristische Dreierbeziehung zur Mutter. Ausserdem trat die differenzierte Suche, bei EZ nach Identität, bei ZZ nach Autonomie zutage, wodurch das Problem der Schizophrenie bei Zwillingen besserverständlich wird. Im Verhältnis von EZ schienen Aehnlichkeite und gegenseitige Anhängigkeit geringer als vorausgesehen und durchaus nicht mysteriöser Natur zu sein.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1975

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