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Maternal preference between premature twins up to age four
K Minde1, C Corter, S Goldberg
1Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Summary
Mothers often prefer one premature twin shortly after birth, maintaining this preference for years. This maternal preference positively impacts the favored twin's IQ and behavior by age four.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Maternal preference can influence child development.
- Understanding parent-infant bonding in multiple births is crucial.
- Early life experiences shape long-term outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure maternal preference between twins.
- To assess the impact of this preference on twin development.
- To examine the relationship between preference and temperament.
Main Methods:
- Studied 24 twin pairs over 4 years.
- Developed methods to quantify maternal preference.
- Assessed intellectual functioning and behavior at age 4.
Main Results:
- Most mothers showed a preference within 2 weeks of birth.
- This preference persisted for at least 4 years.
- Preferred twins exhibited fewer behavior problems and higher IQ scores.
Conclusions:
- Maternal preference for one twin is common and enduring.
- This preference significantly affects twin intellectual and behavioral development.
- Temperament does not correlate with preferential treatment.