|  Within
the Wisconsin Twin Project's research on challenges
and adaptation, families with children between the ages
of twelve and seventeen are interviewed for the adolescent
assessment. The purpose of the adolescent assessment
is to learn more about twin similarities and differences
associated with emotional and behavioral adaptation
and challenges during the teen years. A wide range of
approaches are used to learn about twins and their families,
including telephone interviews, mailed questionnaires,
and sometimes a home visit. Parents should refer to
the most current letter of informed consent for complete
details concerning research participation. A brief summary
is provided below.
Some families are asked to participate
by completing telephone interviews and mailed questionnaires;
other families are invited to a more comprehensive
interview that includes a home visit.
Parents participating in home visits
or other extensive follow-ups are interviewed about
(1) child behavior in everyday situations; (2) their
child's typical emotional reactions; (3) parenting
experiences; (4) general levels of family emotional
expressiveness, and (5) parents' own feelings.
Some questions consider twins' behavior more
broadly, with questions such as, "Shy with other
kids."
Twins are interviewed about their (1)
life events, (2) emotions, (3) personality (4) peer
and family relationships, and (5) behaviors, including
questions like, "I have a hard time finishing
things on time."
Parents will also be invited to complete
a packet of questionnaires about child temperament,
with questions such as "Is slow to warm up to
others." We also ask about parent personality
and life events.
The most extensive portion of the adolescent
assessment is a visit to the family's home during
which the twins complete a variety of short puzzles,
memory tasks and questionnaires. We also use this
time to conduct a final interview with the twins'
primary caregiver.
|
Challenges
and adaptations (WTP) - Adolescent Study
