Twin Bond and Separation-Integration Process in Identical Twin Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to deeply investigate the experience of twin bond and separation-integration processes in monozygotic (identical) twin adolescents. To be a healthy individual in the context of twin psychology, healthy separation-integration and healthy twin bond process are required. These two processes are both related to and significantly affected by each other. Moreover, twins’ seperation-integration and twin bond process are defined as one of the most problematic areas in literature. Studying these two processes together is important for twins to develop healthy identities. Healthy identity development is also significant for individuation of twins. In this study, three femalefemale and three male-male monozygotic twins, obtained through the snowball sampling method, were interviewed. The closed-ended questions and semi-structured interview questions were prepared by the researcher and asked to each twin seperately. The interpretive phenomenological analysis method was used and separation and integration, twin bond and twinship paradox superordinate themes emerged. The main themes of parental attitudes, similarities and shared experiences, and role conflict were emerged under the separation and integration superordinate theme; separation anxiety, twin loss anxiety and dependence of self on the twin pair were emerged under the twin bond superordinate theme; and individualization efforts and competition emerged under the twinship paradox superordinate theme. The superordinate themes, main themes and subcategorieswere discussed in light of the literature. Suggestions to future researchers and implications are also provided