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Interpersonal Conflicts in the Relationship of Twins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

S. A. Gruszewska
S. A. Gruszewska*
Affiliation:
University of Szczecin, Department of Psychology, Szczecin, Poland
*
ul. Szwoleżerów 18, 71-062, Szczecin, Poland

Abstract

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Taking into consideration two facts: that the structure of social life forces twins to part and that the presented roles in a pair are not equal, (one of the twins plays the role of a leader (L) and the other, the subordinate (P.)), one can ask the question — what meaning does the moment of parting have and what are its consequences?

In order to do that, a survey was conducted, (a sample of 31 pairs of twins above the age of 30), in which every pair was asked the question: “Which one of you made the decision about parting?” The answer had two options: A – I, B – brother/sister. Out of 31 pairs of twins, 16 pairs chose the variant different from his brother or sister – that is A, B, admitting that the interpersonal conflict was the result of the parting. In 7 pairs, both twins chose the B variant – they withdrew from the conflict; and in 8 pairs they chose the A variant – looking for a compromise as the means of agreement.

When analyzing the results of the survey, we can state the following:

– in the relationship of twins, there is an interpersonal conflict;

– the decision about parting is difficult with prevalent feelings of sadness and sorrow;

– after parting, at least one of the twins has problems with preserving his identity and integrity of psychological space.

Since the moment of parting is necessary and difficult, specialists and mainly parents are required to consciously change their position towards the relationship of twins. It has to be the result of applied educational methods which aim at creating subjectivity and equality of each of the twins before the moment of parting.

Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 47 , Issue 3-4 , October 1998 , pp. 153 - 160
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1998

References

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