Insecure attachment and internalizing behavior problems in growth discordant identical twins.
Attachment
Behavior
Monochorionic twins
Psychosocial development
School functioning
Selective fetal growth restriction
Journal
Early human development
ISSN: 1872-6232
Titre abrégé: Early Hum Dev
Pays: Ireland
ID NLM: 7708381
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
11 2022
11 2022
Historique:
received:
17
08
2022
revised:
20
09
2022
accepted:
20
09
2022
pubmed:
1
10
2022
medline:
2
11
2022
entrez:
30
9
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Psychosocial development in monochorionic (MC) twins born after selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) has been unreported to date, despite its importance for daily functioning and future relationships. To investigate psychosocial development, attachment and school functioning in MC twins with sFGR and compare outcomes with the general population and between smaller and larger twins. Observational cohort study. MC twins with sFGR (defined as a birth weight discordance ≥20 %) born between 2002 and 2017 and aged 3-17 years. Multiple parent report questionnaires: the Child Behavior Checklist (social-emotional development and behavior), the (Early) Childhood Behavior Questionnaire Very Short Form (temperament), the Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventory (attachment) and a school functioning questionnaire. Median age for the 48 twin pairs was 11 (interquartile range (IQR) 8-13) years. Attachment insecurity for both twins was higher than in the general population for ambivalence/resistance (34 % (21/62) vs. 16 %, p = 0.024) and total attachment insecurity (35 % (22/62) vs. 16 %, p = 0.016). Smaller twins had more internalizing behavioral problems, i.e. negative emotions and behaviors turned inwards (22 % (10/46) vs. 11 % (5/46), p = 0.021) and a higher negative affect, i.e. more likely to experience negative emotions (3.2 (2.9-3.7) vs. 2.9 (2.2-3.2), p = 0.009) than larger twins, as well as a lower secondary school level (p = 0.031). MC twins with sFGR have more ambivalent/resistant attachment insecurity following the complicated pregnancy course. Smaller twins have a tendency towards negative emotions and internalizing behaviors compared to larger twins, indicating an increased sensitivity for depression and anxiety.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Psychosocial development in monochorionic (MC) twins born after selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) has been unreported to date, despite its importance for daily functioning and future relationships.
AIMS
To investigate psychosocial development, attachment and school functioning in MC twins with sFGR and compare outcomes with the general population and between smaller and larger twins.
STUDY DESIGN
Observational cohort study.
SUBJECTS
MC twins with sFGR (defined as a birth weight discordance ≥20 %) born between 2002 and 2017 and aged 3-17 years.
OUTCOME MEASURES
Multiple parent report questionnaires: the Child Behavior Checklist (social-emotional development and behavior), the (Early) Childhood Behavior Questionnaire Very Short Form (temperament), the Attachment Insecurity Screening Inventory (attachment) and a school functioning questionnaire.
RESULTS
Median age for the 48 twin pairs was 11 (interquartile range (IQR) 8-13) years. Attachment insecurity for both twins was higher than in the general population for ambivalence/resistance (34 % (21/62) vs. 16 %, p = 0.024) and total attachment insecurity (35 % (22/62) vs. 16 %, p = 0.016). Smaller twins had more internalizing behavioral problems, i.e. negative emotions and behaviors turned inwards (22 % (10/46) vs. 11 % (5/46), p = 0.021) and a higher negative affect, i.e. more likely to experience negative emotions (3.2 (2.9-3.7) vs. 2.9 (2.2-3.2), p = 0.009) than larger twins, as well as a lower secondary school level (p = 0.031).
CONCLUSION
MC twins with sFGR have more ambivalent/resistant attachment insecurity following the complicated pregnancy course. Smaller twins have a tendency towards negative emotions and internalizing behaviors compared to larger twins, indicating an increased sensitivity for depression and anxiety.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36179588
pii: S0378-3782(22)00142-6
doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2022.105679
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Observational Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
105679Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.