Conflict, Closeness and Comfort: The Inter-Twin Relationship as a Risk Factor for Behavioral Difficulties

Abstract

Background: There is currently little evidence concerning the impact of the inter-twin relationship on behavioral outcomes and yet the twin relationship is frequently hypothesized to be a unique source of psychopathology in twins. The current study asked whether the inter-twin relationship is a predictor of behavioral difficulties and whether there are zygosity differences in this relationship.Method: An Australian sample of same sex twins (N = 356, 164 MZ and 192 DZ) was studied in the year prior to school (Time 1) and again in first year of school (Time 2). Associations between twin-relationship and behavior problems were examined via path-analysis, and Satorra-Bentler chi-square difference tests were used to compare twins across zygosity.Results: Results show that both conflict and lower levels of warmth at Time 1 were predictive of hyperactivity and conduct disorder at Time 2, but they were not associated with emotional difficulties or peer problems. While DZ twins shared less warmth than MZ twins, there were no differences in behavior problems.Conclusion: Conflict and lower levels of warmth in the inter-twin relationship are associated with hyperactivity and conduct disorder and may serve as important considerations when making decisions regarding class separation at entry to school.

The Effects of Sibling Relationships on Social Adjustment Among Japanese Twins Compared With Singletons

“…Our study, on the other hand, investigated twins at 5 years of age, and mothers answered regarding sibling relationships for each child separately. These differences in methods probably underlie the differences observed between our study and that of Bekkhus et al (2011). By performing simultaneous path analysis, we found both similarities and differences between twin siblings and singleton siblings: in terms of similarities, positivity toward one's sibling increased self-Prosocial Behaviors and decreased self-Conduct Problems.…”

“…Notably, with the exception of the study by Bekkhus et al (2011), the participants in earlier studies were singleton siblings. Bekkhus et al (2011) reported that conflict and lower levels of warmth between twin siblings in the year prior to beginning school were associated with increased conduct problems within the first year of school, but these factors were not associated with peer problems. However, comparisons between twins and singleton siblings were not conducted in their study.…”

Australian Twin Registry: 30 Years of Progress

“…For most twin pairs, staying together in the first year of school is a social support (Bekkhus et al, 2011;Staton et al, 2012). Epigenetics Birth weight Birth weight is associated with epigenetic differences in genes associated with growth, metabolism, and cardiovascular function (Gordon et al, 2011;Saffery et al, 2012).…”

Associations Between Sibling Relationship Quality and Friendship Quality in Early Adolescence: Looking at the Case of Twins

“…This is an important addition to the literature, as dyadic friendship relations become increasingly important for emotional and social support in Sibling Relationship and Friendship Quality adolescence compared to middle childhood (Berndt & Perry, 1986;Dunn, 2006). As in many previous studies (e.g., Bekkhus et al, 2011;Fortuna et al, 2010;Nozaki et al, 2012), only same-sex DZ twins were compared with MZ twins for two reasons. First, the mixed-sex twin relationship is only comparable to mixed-sex friendships.…”