The effect of parental differential treatment on the sibling relationship quality of adolescents
The effect of parental differential treatment on the sibling relationship quality of adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1243/2p6zkv95Keywords:
Parental differential treatment, Sibling, Adolescents, EffectsAbstract
In the family context, with the limitations of parents' resources and the differences in children's needs and development, parental differential treatment of their children is inevitable. However, during adolescence, physical and psychological changes make them more sensitive to this difference and their sibling relationships also undergo specific changes. So, how is this difference related, and how does it affect the quality of sibling relationships of adolescents? To find out, an online survey was conducted among 147 junior high school students who have only one sibling, are currently studying, and live with their parents in Hanoi. The results of the regression model showed that paternal and maternal differential affection towards their children and maternal differential control have negative effects on the quality of sibling relationships among adolescents. Specifically, paternal and maternal differential affection has a more substantial influence, while the maternal influence is more evident. To improve the quality of health of the children's relationships, parents, especially mothers, should pay attention to adjust their emotional approach to their children.
References
1. Atzaba‐Poria, N., & Pike, A. (2008). Correlates of parental differential treatment: Parental and contextual factors during middle childhood. Child development, 79(1), 217-232.
2. Byrne, B. M. (2010). Multivariate applications series (2nd ed.). New York, NY, US: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
3. Conger, K. J., & Little, W. M. (2010). Sibling relationships during the transition to adulthood. Child Development Perspectives, 4, 87-94.
4. Daniels, D., & Plomin, R. (1985). Differential experience of siblings in the same family. Developmental Psychology, 21(5), 747.
5. Loeser, M. K., Whiteman, S. D., & McHale, S. M. (2016). Siblings’ perceptions of differential treatment, fairness, and jealousy and adolescent adjustment: A moderated indirect effects model. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 2405-2414.
6. Milevsky, A., Smoot, K., Leh, M., & Ruppe, A. (2005). Familial and contextual variables and the nature of sibling relationships in emerging adulthood. Marriage & Family Review, 37, 123-141.
7. Padilla, J., McHale, S. M., Rovine, M. J., Updegraff, K. A., & Umaña-Taylor, A. J. (2016). Parent-youth differences in familism values from adolescence into young adulthood: Developmental course and links with parent-youth conflict. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 2417-2430.
8. Rolan, E., & Marceau, K. (2018). Individual and sibling characteristics: Parental differential treatment and adolescent externalizing behaviors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47, 2535-2553.
9. Shanahan, L., McHale, S. M., Crouter, A. C., & Osgood, D. W. (2008). Linkages between parents’ differential treatment, youth depressive symptoms, and sibling relationships. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(2), 480-494.
10. Shebloski, B., Conger, K. J., & Widaman, K. F. (2005). Reciprocal links among differential parenting, perceived partiality, and self-worth: A three-wave longitudinal study. Journal of Family Psychology, 19, 633-642.
11. Tseung, C. N., & Schott, G. (2004). The quality of sibling relationship during late adolescence: Are there links with other significant relationships? Psychological Studies-University of Calicut, 49, 20-30.
12. Whiteman, S. D., McHale, S. M., & Crouter, A. C. (2011). Family relationships from adolescence to early adulthood: Changes in the family system following firstborns' leaving home. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(2), 461-474.
