Parent–child attachment and sibling relationship quality in rural China: Moderating roles of favoritism and gender

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore how parent–child attachment is associated with sibling relationship quality among rural Chinese adolescents in families with two children, considering adolescents' perceived parental favoritism and gender combination as moderators. Background: Sibling relationship quality are crucial for adolescents' development and well-being. Although previous research has noted the positive impact of parent–child attachment on sibling relationship quality, the role of parental favoritism and gender combination remains largely unexplored. Method: Using a sample of 1,805 rural Chinese adolescents from families with two children, this study employed scales to measure adolescents' perceived parental favoritism, sibling relationship quality, and parent–child attachment. Statistical analyses, including t tests, one-way analysis of variance, and moderation analysis were conducted. Results: Both mother–child and father–child attachment were positively correlated with sibling relationship quality. Adolescents' perceived parental favoritism moderated the strength of the relationship between parent–child attachment and sibling relationship quality, with gender combination playing a dual moderating role. High levels of parental favoritism weakened the association between parent–child attachment and sibling relationship quality, particularly in combinations of two boys. Conclusion: This study, focused on two-child families, emphasizes the significance of parent–child attachment in shaping sibling relationships among rural Chinese adolescents and highlights the need for fair parenting practices to mitigate the detrimental effects of adolescents' perceived parental favoritism. Implications: These findings suggest interventions to enhance positive family relationships and adolescent well-being by promoting equitable parent–child relationships and addressing parental favoritism in families with two children.