Older twins' experiences of the relationship with their co-twin over the life-course

Pietilä, Sirpa; Björklund, Anita; Bülow, Pia H.

doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2011.10.002

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Twin relationships like all other human relationships show different characteristics. An emotionally close twin relationship can be experienced as warm and supportive, as well as it can be experienced as complicated, dependent and non-supportive which in turn may influence the experience of loss [33]. Six out of the seven participants in this study described having supportive and harmonious relationships and with grief experiences characterized by emotional pain and loneliness, while the dependent twin relationship experienced grief characterized by loneliness, guilt and reproach.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 86%

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Images of sorrow—Experiences of losing a co-twin in old age

Rosendahl¹,

Bülow²,

Björklund³

2013

Health

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What it is like when a lifelong twin relationship ends through death in later life is the focus of this study. It draws on interview data from seven twins who are part of a longitudinal Swedish twin study (SATSA) and who lost their co-twins in old age. Data were analyzed using qualitative latent content analysis. The results showed that the experience of loss of the co-twin was profound, including an emotional as well as a behavioral dimension. Loss and loneliness were expressed as the dominant feelings related to the quality of the missing relationship as well as the loss of twin identity. However, the grief experiences in this study were primarily related to the closeness and quality of the twin relationship, rather than identity. Behavioral adjustments included the use of outside as well as internal cognitive resources to cope with life after the loss. Despite the devastating experience of losing a co-twin after a lifelong relationship, the participants engaged actively in their own grief processes. It was concluded that twin loss is unique, in the sense of losing the relational twin identity, as well as it is characterized by similar features as the loss of a close relationship among non-twins. Data CollectionThe interviews were conducted in the participants' homes and tape-recorded with an average recording time of approximately one hour (40 -90 minutes). The questions of loss and bereavement were part of a life story

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…The participants are part of a qualitative study, based on the life stories of 35 older twins [33], which in turn is a subsample of a longitudinal twin-study, SATSA (= Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Ageing) [34,35]. Seven participants had lost their co-twin when they were between 75-91years, mean age of 86 years.…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Images of sorrow—Experiences of losing a co-twin in old age

Rosendahl¹,

Bülow²,

Björklund³

2013

Health

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“…A twin relationship can be experienced as close and yet independent, while other twin relationship can be experienced as close, but dependent (Penninkilampi-Kerola, Moilanen, & Kaprio, 2005;Schave & Ciriello, 1983). Dependency between twins may have a negative impact on new close relationships, such as a marriage partner as indicated in a previous study by Pietilä, Björklund and Bülow, (2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…Despite the possibility to fall in love with the same boy or girl, the twins stayed loyal to each other, which can be related to the kind of relationship the twins had. In the study by Pietilä et al (2012), different twin relationship patterns were identified and in one of these patterns, which was described as complicated and difficult, competition was present as an aspect which was 'draining' on the relationship. Some of the twins in this study who were in this kind of relationship were also competitive as regards their marriage partner, while those twins who were dependent on each other were intruding on the marriage of the co-twin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The comfort and support from family and friends when facing difficult circumstances or events are well documented in bereavement literature (Stroebe, Hansson, Stroebe, & Schut, 2002;Worden, 2002). However the support from the co-twin again seemed to depend on the quality and closeness of the relationship, as those having a draining twin relationship (Pietilä et al, 2012) were not as available as those twins who had a close and nurturing twin relationship.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Twinship and Marriage – Experiences during the Course of Twin

Pietilä

Bülow

Björklund

2012

RES

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The aim of this study was to explore and describe older twins' experiences of their marriages in relation to the co-twin relationship. Material and Methods:The material consisted of 34 life story interviews with older twins (70+), representing various experiences of twinship and marriage. The data was analysed with qualitative latent content analysis.Results: Phases of marriage describe the time of Courtship -partners were chosen based on infatuation. Most were non-related, but some were relatives or friends. Twinship and quality of married life showed that marriages were either disharmonious or harmonious. The most common cause of conflicts was spouses not getting along, second common cause to conflicts was the twin relationship itself. In the harmonious marriages, the spouses were sympathetic and accepting of the twin relationship. In later life 14 of 34 were widowed and 7 of 34 had gone through a divorce. The most common cause of divorce was an unfaithful spouse, rather than the close relationship with the co-twin. In difficult times the twin relationship served as a source of comfort and support. Conclusions:The most harmonious marriages were with spouses related to one another. In this way the twins could keep both the twin relationship and have a marriage. Since twins often regard each other as attachment figures, the combination of twinship and marriage seem to be a challenge for the spouse to be most of all.

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