FW: parents of twins

> Subject: parents of twins
>
> To whom it may concern,
> I'm not certain who at your club I need to speak with but I am hopeful
you can either forward this on, or let me know who to contact.
> My name is Diane Cates and I am a member of the Loudoun/Fairfax Mothers
of Multiples Club. In addition, I am working on my dissertation which
involves twin development. I was hoping that your club might be able to
assist me in obtaining participants for my study by informing your members
about the study. I am in need of participants and thus need to get the word
out about the study ( I need parents of twins ages 3 to 5). It would be
very helpful if your club would be willing to provide information to your
members through your newsletter or other means. (I have gotten permission
from the national organization for the study - see below). Privacy of
members should not be an issue since all material is done via survey which
does not include any names or address information, thus when a survey comes
to me I have no idea who filled it out. And all data will be reported in
aggregate form. I have included more information about the study below. If
you have any more questions please
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> don't hesitate to contact me by email or by phone at 703-304-9918.
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> My dissertation explores how parentally assessed child temperament may
impact parental attachment among twin children between the ages of three
and five. The study uses a questionnaires to assess parental perception of
temperament and the quality of the attachment relationship. Forms for
demographic information and to establish zygosity will also be included.
Questionnaires can be sent through the mail or email and participants can
be from any part of the United States. Participants can specify how they
would like to receive the questionnaires and provide their address or email
address and the information will be sent to them.
>
> I am attempting to gather about 200 participants for the study. I need
parents with twins between the ages of three and five. The questionnaires
would take about 1 hour to complete. Parents who want to be in the study
can contact me/Diane Cates at dcates@gwu.edu or by phone at 703-304-9918.
>
> Attachment Theory has been used as a predictor of strength in
parent-child relationships (Damato, 1998). Attachment, the relationship
between child and caretakers, has been found to be a good predictor of
maladjustment in later childhood (Schmitz, 1996). Infants who have been
found to be securely attached appear to be more socially competent, to cope
better with stress and to have better relationships with peers (Willinger,
Diendorfer-Radner, Willnauer, Jorgl, & Hager., 2005). Early attachment
experiences are believed to have an impact on the development of an
individual because basic expectations about the world and one�s self are
established.
>
> I view my dissertation is a positive step in learning about the
development of multiple birth children. It is hoped that findings from my
study will lend insight into how to better prepare for families and
professionals working with twins in dealing with multiple births and to
assist these families and professionals working with these families in
optimizing the development of twin children.
>
> I hope the club can help. Thanks for your time and consideration.
> Diane Cates