Högskolan i Skövde

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of twinship as described by older twins and their siblings. Method: Qualitative data based on interviews with 14 Swedish older (70+) identical and fraternal twins and with 15 siblings to twins, which were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Results indicate that the siblings particularly in larger families substituted as parents in the raising of the twins, whereas in smaller families the role of the siblings were more unclear. In addition to bonding to one another, both twins also found comfort in having a supportive relationship of their own with yet one other sibling in the family and influential in the developing of the individual identity of the twins. For the siblings of the twins, engaging in the raising of the twins, was a way to prevent the feeling of being unnoticed.