PARENTAL DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF SIBLINGS AND SIBLING DIFFERENCES IN NEGATIVE EMOTIONALITY

In this study we tested the hypothesis that parents' differential treatment of their children would be associated with differences in siblings' negative emotionality. Mothers, fathers, and sibling pairs from 98 families participated. Mothers and fathers were observed separately while interacting with their children; these interactions were quantified using a behavioral coding system that yields measures of differential positivity, negativity, control, and responsiveness. On a separate occasion each parent rated his or her children's emotionality. When younger siblings received significantly higher negative emotionality ratings from both parents than did the older siblings, the parents enacted higher rates of differential treatment that favored the younger sibling. When older siblings were rated as significantly more negative in emotionality, and when the siblings were rated as similar in negative emotionality, parental treatment was more nearly equal.