Unequal Treatment by Mothers and Fathers Matters Differently for Daughters and Sons

Abstract

Research in attachment has yet to examine the differential effects of unequal treatment by mothers versus unequal treatment by fathers and how unequal treatment affects daughters and sons differently. Moreover, research examining the link between differential treatment and relationship outcomes such as jealousy in romantic relationship has suggested that romantic attachment may mediate this process but has not effectively examined this association. In the current study, researchers found that for daughters, unequal control (but not affection) by mothers (but not fathers) predicted jealousy. For sons, unequal affection (but not control) by mothers (but not fathers) predicted jealousy. For sons, attachment mediated the relationship between differential maternal affection and jealousy in romantic relationships.