Parents do have favorites

Plus: the social media posts that can reduce suicide risk, and how to get better emotional support

Hello, techno sapiens! It’s time for our February Research Round up, where I summarize the latest findings in parenting, mental health, and tech in 5 minutes or less.

Today we’ve got studies on social media and suicide risk, and which children parents tend to favor (!). We’ve also got a bonus one behind the paywall, about what we’re doing wrong when we try to get emotional support in conversations.

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Let’s dive in!

1. Social media posts can reduce suicide risk

There’s been a lot of discussion about the risks of social media content related to suicide, and for good reason. Long-standing evidence suggests that certain discussions of suicide in the media, particularly those that sensationalize suicide or provide detailed descriptions of the methods used, can increase suicide risk in vulnerable people.

But what about social media posts that offer stories of hope and recovery? Could these types of posts actually prevent suicide? For this experimental study, researchers in Austria created 10 suicide-prevention social media posts from a fictitious influencer. The posts offered stories about recovery from suicidal crises, mental health tips, and life-affirming messages. A total of 354 adult participants were randomly assigned to view these posts, or to view 10 posts totally unrelated to mental health.

As expected, participants who were exposed to the suicide-prevention posts reported decreased suicidal thoughts and greater intentions to seek help (e.g., from friends, family, or a professional). This was especially true for those who were already struggling with suicidal thoughts.

My take: I know this study is a bit heavier than our usual Techno Sapiens content, but I think it’s an important one to share. It shows that certain social media posts have the potential to actually reduce suicide risk, which is pretty amazing. Of course, the challenge is that subtle changes in the content of these posts could have the opposite effect, which means we need platforms to better identify and amplify the helpful posts. Education and training, both for regular people and those with large followings (i.e., influencers, larger media accounts) could help, too. Social Science & Medicine. Note: suicide prevention and mental health resources are available at AFSP.org.

2. Turns out, parents do have favorites

You know how when someone asks us if we have a favorite child, we say of course not! I love all my children equally! And then we stare lovingly at each of our special little snowflakes, and we laugh and laugh and laugh?

I have bad news. It seems we are lying.

A new meta-analysis suggests that parents do favor some of their children over others, depending on factors like gender, age, and the child’s personality. Researchers reviewed studies totalling over 19,000 participants (both parents and kids). Because some parents are unlikely to come right out and say they prefer one child over another, parental differential treatment (PDT) was assessed with a range of measures. These included assessments of parents’ and kids’ perceptions of favoritism, affection and warmth, conflict, giving privileges, allowing more freedom and autonomy, and homework and other support.

A few interesting findings:

• Parents reported favoring daughters over sons. This was true of both moms and dads.

• Parents tended to give more autonomy and freedom to older children, versus younger children.

• Children who were more conscientious and agreeable also received preferential treatment.

My take: Well, shoot. Maybe we, as parents, are not quite as impartial as we’d like to believe. But here’s the thing: maybe that’s okay! A recent interview with the lead author of this study suggests that parental preference is incredibly common. We don’t need to beat ourselves up over it. Instead, we can try to investigate when and why it’s happening, recognize where it might be leading to differential treatment of our kids, and work to address it when they perceive unfairness.

Also, worth noting that I am the oldest daughter of six children in my family, and would describe myself as pretty conscientious and agreeable. Have I been the favorite all along, and never knew it?! Will report back. Psychological Bulletin.

3. Ask for emotional support, and you shall receive

You ever go to explain a problem you’re having to someone, and you vent and complain and lament the unfairness of the world, and then they have the audacity to suggest a solution? I mean, what’s wrong with them, right?!