WHEN PARENTS PLAY FAVOURITES: PERCEIVED PARENTAL FAVOURITISM AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN PAKISTAN

Favoritism among parents is an often overlooked aspect of families which can affect children's mental health and self-esteem. Differences between parents' attention levels, affectionate behavior towards children, and treatment might affect an individual's sense of worthiness as a member of that family unit. This study examined the relationship between perceived parental favoritism and self-esteem among university students and explored differences across selected demographic characteristics. Method: A quantitative correlation study method is used here. Sample consisted of 400 undergraduates and graduates aged between 18-25 years who were recruited by convenient sampling. The participants answered to an age group survey form, a Perception of Favoritism Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and independent samples t-test were used for data analysis purposes. For analyses involving parental favoritism, 48 participants who were only children were excluded, and had a total of 352 participants remaining. Results: Findings showed a significant negative relation between perceived parental favoritism and self-esteem indicating higher levels of favoritism are linked to lower self-esteem. Favoritism was reported by 54.5% of participants, while 45.5% reported no favoritism. The most frequently reported patterns were perceptions that mothers favored another child (25%) and that both parents favored another child (25%). Gender differences were significant for several favoritism-related variables, although self-esteem did not significantly differ between male and female participants. Perceived favoritism also varied according to family and demographic characteristics.