ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests to study sibling relationships in a group of sextuplets, to observe each individual child's development and relationship with the mother as well as the mother's relationship to the sibling group as a whole. The study was carried out in two phases using different methods. The first phase is the development of the sextuplets by Infant Observation for the period from age six and a half months to three and a half years. The second phase focused on their development in late adolescence, from age 18 to 21 years, using various instruments, in particular projective and intelligence tests and a socio-relational questionnaire. The method involves three basic stages: the observation of the child in the family situation, detailed transcripts of each observation, and seminar discussions in a small group. The study of the mother-baby-sextuplet group relationships required a special visiting schedule, appropriate for both the task at hand and for the family routine.
