Parental differential treatment and symptoms of child psychopathology: A twin study

Parental differential treatment is associated with higher levels of psychopathology symptoms in children. Both higher overall levels of differential treatment (absolute/magnitude of differential treatment) and consistently favoring one child over another (relative differential treatment) are associated with risk in children. This study enhances understanding of parental differential treatment using a genetically informed twin design that clarifies child- and parent-driven effects. Participants included 632 twin pairs (Mage = 7.6 years, SD = 0.94; 96% White, 44% Rural) and parents. Parental differential treatment was assessed using an observed card game interaction and reports from mothers, fathers, and children. Twin modeling indicated heritable influences on parental hostility (h² = .34 for females, .06 for males) and intrusiveness (h² = .51 across the sample), suggesting that children's heritable traits elicit parenting. Observed intrusiveness differences predicted ADHD. Absolute and relative differences in maternal discipline predicted externalizing, internalizing, and ADHD symptoms, with a similar but less strong pattern for paternal discipline. However, absolute differences in paternal affection and paternal partiality proved especially important for children's psychopathology. Findings show children's behavior can elicit maladaptive differences in parenting, informing interventions.