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Identifier

000441393

Title

Αντιλήψεις μητέρων δίδυμων και εφήβων με Διαταραχή Αυτιστικού Φάσματος για την ποιότητα της δίδυμης σχέσης

Alternative Title

Mothers' perceptions of twins children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder about the quality of the twin relationship

Author

Κατσαντώνη, Σταυρούλα

Thesis advisor

Μαρκοδημητράκη Μαρία

Reviewer

Κορνηλάκη Αικατερίνη
Κυπριωτάκη Μαρία

Abstract

Τwins have been used in order to be investigated the contribution of genetic factors to the occurrence of autism, on the basis that they share identical genetic material. The last decade the birthrates of twins with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been increased. However, research on twins with autism is mostly clinical. The twin relationship of individuals with ASD and its qualitative characteristics have not been investigated developmentally. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap in the existing literature. In particular, it aims to investigate, based on maternal reports, the quality of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic twins’ intrapair (DZ) relationship, in case one or both twins are diagnosed in the autism spectrum. The present study seeks to investigate the characteristics of the twin relationship, such as closeness, dependence, cooperation, competition, dominance and similarity of character, as experienced by twins, who both or just one of them have been diagnosed with ASD. In the present study, 11 mothers of twin children and adolescents, 5 to 17 years old, participated in telephone interviews and their data were analyzed qualitatively. The results show that the co-development of the twin siblings functions as a social stimulus in case one or both are on the autism spectrum thus limiting the deficits in social communication and their interaction. Twins showed high intimacy with their co-twin, but no dependence on them. Collaboration and altruistic behavior were also observed in twins’ intrapair interactions. Moreover, competition and rivalry were found as well as conflicts over the occasional dominance of one twin over the other. The results of the present study provide important information about the relation between twins with ASD as its complexity and diversity is highlighted. The present study highlights the need twin relationship to be examined as an advantage in the social development of children and adolescents with ASD, which needs further investigation.

Language

Greek

Subject

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Closeness

Competition

Cooperation

Dependence

Dominance

Social interaction

Twins

Ανταγωνισμός