Parental Differential Treatment and its Impact on the Sibling Relationship: A Literature Review

Author

Kanisha Pierre-NoelFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Dr. Lee Ann Thill PhD, LPAT, LPC, ATR-BC

Abstract

Parental differential treatment (PDT) may happen for a number of reasons. Each child is different; therefore, each child has their own individual personality and may differ developmentally or in temperament. These differences can make parenting individual children challenging. These differences can cause some parents to show preference toward one child over another because their behavior may be easier to handle. While the difference in treatment due to varying situations and developmental needs is understandable, children may still be sensitive to the increased parental attention shown to another child and be negatively affected by it. PDT explores the differences in parenting experienced by siblings and has been linked to negative adjustment outcomes in children. The contents of this literature review will examine how differential treatment impacts sibling relationships and how art therapy can be used as a positive resource to improve familial relationships and better parenting skills.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Pierre-Noel, Kanisha, "Parental Differential Treatment and its Impact on the Sibling Relationship: A Literature Review" (2023). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 764.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/764