The relationship between perceived parental favoritism and self-esteem.
In this study of 91 male and female college subjects, we used two questionnaires to explore the relationship between the students' perceived parental favoritism and their self-esteem. In addition, the prevalence of parental favoritism, the reasons for it, and the ways it is shown were examined. Results indicated that total self-esteem and two facets of self-esteem were related to parental favoritism; the no-favoritism subjects had higher total self-esteem than the nonfavored subjects, the no-favoritism and the favored subjects had higher self-esteem with respect to home-parent relationships than the nonfavored subjects, and the no-favoritism subjects had higher social self-esteem than the favored subjects. Furthermore, the perception of parental favoritism was widespread--62% of the subjects thought one or both of their parents had a favored child. Moreover, parents were more likely to show favoritism in subtle ways than in more obvious material ways; and the predominate reasons given for favoritism were the child's intellect, behavior, birth-order, and creativity rather than his or her physical appearance or gender.
Department of Education, University of Delaware.
L J
LJ
Zervas
M F
MF
Sherman
D000293:Adolescent; D001722:Birth Order; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires