Parental social comparison is a common phenomenon that occurs in Chinese society. It often manifests as upward comparison, where parents view other children as exemplary role models without shortcomings and compare their own children to these idealized figures. This study aimed to investigate the impact of parental social comparisons on adolescents’ depression and anxiety, examining the mediating role of upward social comparisons among adolescents aged 12 to 16 years. Three instruments were administered online: Parental Social Comparison Scale, the upward social comparison subscale of the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure, a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). A total of 576 valid responses were collected. The findings suggest that upward social comparison mediates the positive effects of parental social comparisons on adolescents' depression and anxiety. The results suggest the detrimental impact of parental social comparisons on adolescents’ mental health, and this can easily cultivate the comparison mentality of teenagers. This study shows that parental social comparison is not advisable, as parents, it is best to encourage children in ways that are more conducive to adolescent mental health and let them make their own choices rather than comparing them with their peers.

Authors:
Hongyang Liu, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic
Jana Kvintova, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic
Justyna Dockalova, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic

About the Presenter(s)
Mgr. Hongyang Liu, PhD is a University Assistant Professor at Palacky University Olomouc in the Czech Republic. His main research area is social psychology in school settings.

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