When does parents' differential treatment have negative implications for siblings?

We compared the extent of parents' differential treatment (PDT) and girls' and boys' perceptions of parents 'fairness in middle childhood and adolesce nce as a function of the gender constellation of the sibling dyad. Further; we examined links between PDT in three domains, par-ental warmth, parents' temporal involvement, and the allocation of household tasks, and both sibl ings' self esteem and positivity in the sibling relationship. Participants were mothers, fathers and both first- and secondborn siblings from 385 fami lies, To collect information on siblings' family experiences and wellbeing family members were interviewed individually in their homes. During the sub sequent 2-3 weeks, 7 Everting telephone interviews also were conducted, the se focused on siblings' daily activities. Analyses revealed different patte rns of PDT for siblings as a function of age and gender constellation, stro nger links with self esteem and sibling positivity for perceptions of fairn ess than for PDT and different patterns of association with self esteem and sibling relations across domains of PDT. We emphasize the importance of st udying the processes through which PDT experiences have implications for si blings.