Wei‐Lin Chen, Jen-Hao Chen
ABSTRACT Objective This study investigates the relationship between parental academic comparisons of siblings and adolescents' well‐being, a topic that has not been extensively studied in literature. Background In East Asian societies, academic achievement is highly valued, and parents often compare siblings' academic performance to encourage greater achievement. Method Leveraging longitudinal data of the Taiwan Youth Project ( N = 1,464, aged 15–18), the study employs random‐effects and fixed‐effects models to examine how parental academic comparisons are associated with adolescents' well‐being. Results Nearly three quarters of Taiwanese adolescents reported at least some parental academic comparison between siblings. Both random‐effects and fixed‐effects models reveal that frequent perceived parental comparisons correlate with adolescent well‐being, that is, mental health and aggressive behavior. The results were predominantly observed among females, and the associations became nonsignificant once measures of family relationships and self‐esteem were controlled for. Conclusion The findings underscore the potential adverse effects of a common parenting practice in East Asia, but, more importantly, reveal that family relationships and self‐esteem explain the associations between frequent parental academic comparisons and adolescents' aggression and mental health. Implications These results suggest actionable levers for family education and professionals in Taiwan and East Asia, guiding them toward parenting strategies that enhance family relationships ultimately to improve adolescents' well‐being.