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Biomedical subjects

Nancy L Segal

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy L Segal.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

In detail.

Two families with twins - one in which adult DZ twins continue to face the risk of frontotemporal dementia, and the other in which a mother copes with brittle bones in a newborn infant MZ pair - are featured. The nature and progress of the disorders are reviewed and personal perspectives from the twins and other family members are variously provided. Next, four current twin studies are briefly summarized. Topics include sex differences in social support systems, new reproductive technologies, comparative twin-singleton frequencies of placenta previa, and the nature and complications of heterotopic pregnancies. This article concludes with a brief sampling of human interest stories involving twins: a different looking DZ pair, newborn sextuplets, conjoined twins and opposite-sex twin athletes.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Russian twin studies: colleagues, controversies, case studies and current events.

The 2001 honoring of Russian twin researcher, Dr. Inna V. Ravich-Shcherbo, at the Tenth International Congress on Twin Studies (ISTS), in London, brought timely recognition to an international colleague. It also marked an occasion for reflecting on the course of twin studies in Russia. Historical trends and current accomplishments are examined with an eye toward future developments. Next, the distinguished careers of Russian monozygotic twins, Drs. Alexander and Andrew Fingelkurts, exemplify twin research findings on intelligence and occupational choice, and illuminate the status of twin studies and other scientific research in their country, are told. Their life histories are followed by the initially tragic, but ultimately heartwarming, story of young twins, Max and Andy, whose physical disabilities were overcome through the efforts of an empathic war veteran. The recent Moscow Summer School, the first in a three-time lecture series, encouraged crucial academic exchange among scientific investigators and students from around the world. Final thoughts are that much can be learned and much can be accomplished, given that we continue to nurture the twin-related resources available to us.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

Psychobiological and evolutionary perspectives on coping and health characteristics following loss: a twin study.

An analysis of coping, grief and health characteristics is reported for a bereaved monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) same-sex twin sample. The data were examined with reference to psychobiological and evolutionary perspectives on behavior. A Coping Scale, included as part of a comprehensive Twin Loss Survey (TLS), assessed coping with daily responsibilities and activities 1-2 months before the co-twin's death, 1-2 months following the co-twin's death and currently. A Grief Intensity Scale obtained judgments of grief 1-2 months following the loss, and currently. Information on physical symptoms was available from the Somatization Scale of the Grief Experience Inventory. Psychobiological and evolutionary perspectives specified hypotheses for two twin groups: one model was specified to reflect bereavement experiences immediately following loss of the co-twin (retrospective twin group); a second model represented present bereavement response (current twin group). Consistent with psychobiological theory, twins' social closeness showed a positive association with grief intensity which, in turn, affected somatic symptoms and coping efficacy in predicted directions. With respect to evolutionary psychological theory, the effect of zygosity on current grief implicated correlates of genetic relatedness as factors in the bereavement process.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

Monozygotic and dizygotic twins' retrospective and current bereavement-related behaviors: an evolutionary perspective.

The present study compared bereavement responses of 325 monozygotic (MZ) and 176 dizygotic (DZ) adolescent and adult twins following the loss of their co-twins. A subset of twins completed the Grief Experience Inventory using a retrospective time frame, while a second subset completed it using a current time frame. It was hypothesized that MZ twins (in both retrospective and current groups) would report higher levels of grief-related behavior than DZ twins, consistent with Hamilton's (1964) concept of inclusive fitness. Discriminant function and profile analyses yielded supportive findings, but only for the retrospective MZ and DZ twin comparisons. Females in both groups expressed higher levels of bereavement-related behavior than males. Findings are discussed with reference to theoretical aspects of grief and mourning.

Adolescent↗