| Abstract: | In this project, sets of twins were assessed, treated with psychoanalytically oriented approaches, and followed in a research study. The basic hypothesis was that in identical twins, the variations of the quality of bonding between each of them and their parents and the differences in behavior are consequences of the parents' expectations, desires, fantasies, and fears about the multiple pregnancy and their personal history. In order to explore this hypothesis, the parents were interviewed once they knew that it was a multiple pregnancy. Subsequently, they were videotaped during delivery, breast-feeding, bathing, face-to-face interactions, solid feeding, free play, and interaction with peers. These observations were discussed with the parents. The team was then presented with the outcome. This approach has proved to have therapeutic value, and, therefore, the project is considered to be action-research. |
