Playing Favorties: Is Being the Mother's Favorite Child a Good Thing?

Favorite Child favoritism parenting parenting tips parenting skills

By Abbie Uychiat , Parent Herald Feb 28, 05:11 am

Playing favorites is something unavoidable when it comes to mother-and-child relationship. Though siblings would often argue as to who the favorite child is, research reveals that it can have a negative effect on a child.

According to the researchers from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, individuals who grew up being the mother's favorite child develops a high risk of depression compared to other siblings.

In a study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, the researchers were able to come into conclusion that children (mostly adults) who are closer to their mothers than their siblings are the ones who are prone to depression.

Being mom’s favorite can be super depressing https://t.co/DTh6FNp6yb by @LifeAtPurdue #science pic.twitter.com/UpKfcOtvgb

— Oximity Science News (@OximityScience) November 6, 2015

The study which involved 309 mothers and their 725 children assessed maternal favoritism and dis-favoritism. The researchers involved in the study focused on the effects of depression among the children. They also pointed out that "sibling rivalry" can be a probable cause of the higher depression risk.

In addition to the factors that can increase the risk of depression, Medical News Daily cited another cause that heightens the risk of depression. The website also mentioned that the "increase feeling of responsibility for maternal geriatric care "also plays a vital role in depressive tendencies.

According to Jill Suitor, a professor of sociology and a member of the Center on Aging and the Life Course, "There is a cost for those who perceive they are the closest emotionally to their mothers, and these children report higher depressive symptoms, as do those who experience the greatest conflict with their mothers or who believe they are the children in whom their mothers are the most disappointed."

Mom's favorite child more likely to be depressed https://t.co/vPi3lDggdP pic.twitter.com/dhiKxvMhbj — Mental Health (@MentalHealthRR) November 8, 2015

Megan Gilligan, an assistant professor in human development and family studies in the Iowa State University added, "This cost comes from higher sibling tension experienced by adult children who are favored for emotional closeness, or the greater feelings of responsibility for the emotional care of their older mothers."