Research - Dr. Anton de Man
Dr. Anton de Man
Department of Psychology
Dr. de Man's current research project concerns the relationship between parental favouritism and aspects of mental health in adolescents in Hong Kong. Parent-child relationships are usually described in terms of two dimensions: parental affection and parental control. The former refers to the warmth or coldness which characterizes the relationship, whereas the latter reflects the extent to which parents dominate their children or allow them freedom. Measures of the two dimensions are not systematically related and may be combined to describe different parenting styles. Any combination and gradation is possible, each creating a different child-rearing environment. Some of these environments result in positive developmental outcomes, but others exert negative influences and create vulnerability to various forms of psychopathology. Although associations between parental child-rearing attitudes and children's mental health have received a great deal of attention, the related phenomenon of differential parental treatment (favouritism) and its effects has not yet been much studied. Some parents may favour one child over the other(s), and children's perceptions of such differential treatment are important. When favouritism is perceived, non-favoured children may feel inferior, angry, unattractive, incompetent, and confused about their identity. Favoured children may not only benefit from positive consequences but also face negative outcomes: they may experience greater sibling jealousy, be self-centered, feel superior, and display behaviours that cause peers to reject them. Hence it appears both non-favoured and favoured youngsters may show characteristics that make them vulnerable. Dr. de Man's research focuses on the relationship between parental favouritism and the variables of suicidal ideation, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and sibling relationships.
