High-Order Multiples:
Research Bibliography

Family Size

Bryan, E.M. "The Consequences to the Family of Triplets or More." Journal of Perinatal Medicine 19, n.1 (1991): 24-28.

Downey, D.B. "When bigger is not better: family size, parental resources, and children’s educational performance." American Sociological Review Vol. 60, n. 5 (October 1995): 746-761.

Kuo, H.H.D., and R.M. Hauser. "How does size of sibship matter? Family configuration and family effects on educational attainment." Social Science Research Vol. 26, n. 1 (March 1997): 69-94.

Morand, D.A. "Family size and intelligence revisited: The role of emotional intelligence." Psychological Reports Vol. 84, n. 2 (April 1999): 643-649.

Newman, J. "The more the merrier: Effects of family size and sibling spacing on sibling relationships." Child Care Health and Development Vol. 22, n. 5 (September 1996): 285-302.

Rodgers, J.L., H.H. Cleveland, E. van den Oord, and D.C. Rowe. "Resolving the debate over birth order, family size, and intelligence." American Psychologist Vol. 55, n. 6 (June 2000): 599-612.

Rogers, S.J. "Mothers' work hours and marital quality: Variations by family structure and family size." Journal of Marriage and the Family Vol. 58, n. 3 (August 1996): 606-617.

Sputa, C.L., and S.E. Paulson. "Birth order and family size: Influences on adolescents' achievement and related parenting behaviors." Psychological Reports Vol. 76, n. 1 (February 1995): 43-51.

Providing Family Support

Ellison, Marcia A.; Hotamisligil, Selen; Lee, Hang; Rich-Edwards, Janet W.; Pang, Samuel C.; and Janet E. Hall. "Psychosocial risks associated with multiple births resulting from assisted reproduction." Fertility & Sterility, 83, n. 5 (May 2005)1422-1428.

Using multivariate logistic regression models, for each additional multiple birth child, the odds of having difficulty meeting basic material needs more than tripled and the odds of lower quality of life and increased social stigma more than doubled. Each increase in multiplicity was also associated with increased risks of maternal depression. Conclusion(s): To increase patients' informed decision-making, assisted reproduction providers might consider incorporating a discussion of these risks with all patients before they begin fertility treatment, and holding the discussion again if the treatment results in a multiple gestation. These data may also help providers to identify appropriate counseling, depression screening, and supports for patients with multiple births.

Hay, D.A., C. Gleeson, C. Davies, and B. Lorden et al. "What Information Should the Multiple Birth Family Receive Before, During and After the Birth." Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemellologiae 39, n. 2(1990): 259-269.

Malmstrom, P. M., and R. Biale. "An Agenda For Meeting The Special Needs Of Multiple Birth Families." Acta Geneticae Medicae et Gemellologiae 39, n. 4 (1990): 507-514.

Spillman, J.R. "A Study of Maternity Provision in the UK in Response to the Needs of Families Who Have a Multiple Birth." Acta Geneticae Medicae Et Gemellologiae 41, n. 4 (1992): 353-364.

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