Perceived Parental Differential Treatment and Sibling Relationships in Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived parental differential treatment (differential paternal control and affection, differential maternal control and affection) on sibling relationships (warmth, conflict, and rivalry) among adolescents. The theory of equity and social comparisons were included in the theoretical framework. The role of demographics was also assessed for the study variables. A correlational design with a purposive-convenient sampling technique was used to collect data from adolescents. A sample of 232 adolescents aged 18 to 24 years (M= 20.84, SD= 1.70) was taken from the main cities of Punjab, Pakistan. SIDE (Daniels & Plomin, 1985) and the ASRQ-S (Stocker et al., 2001) were the measures used in the study. Results revealed a positively related relationship between perceived maternal and paternal affection and sibling warmth and a negative relationship between perceived maternal and paternal control and sibling rivalry and conflict.