Perceived parental differential treatment and internet addiction among Chinese adolescents: the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of fairness perception

Abstract

This study explores the correlational associations between perceived parental differential treatment (PDT) and Internet addiction (IA) among Chinese adolescents, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of fairness perception. A sample of 426 non-only children aged 9–19 years ( M = 13.30, SD = 2.00) was recruited from five schools in Hebei, Henan, Jilin, and Shandong provinces using cluster-based convenience sampling. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, including the Sibling Experience Questionnaire, Young’s Internet Addiction Diagnostic Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, and the Fairness Perception Scale. The results indicated that: (1) PDT (perceived self-favoritism) was significantly negatively correlated with IA; (2) self-esteem served as a full mediator in the correlational pathway linking PDT and IA; (3) fairness perception significantly moderated the association between paternal PDT and IA. The negative association between paternal PDT and IA emerged only at high levels of fairness perception, though this conditional association was marginally significant. These findings highlight the potential value of positive self-esteem and perceived fairness for understanding IA among adolescents in multi-child families, providing both theoretical and practical implications for family-based interventions.