“My parents always favoured my brother”

What could be going on

Family roles (golden child, scapegoat, lost child, mascot): Fits if he was cast as golden child and you as something else; check whose failures were excused.

Jealousy: Check how much the pain is about losing a parent's love, which is old and real.

Intergenerational transmission: Could repeat how your parents themselves were ranked as children.

Conditions of worth (Rogers): Check whether favour went to whoever met the family's conditions: achieving, obeying, resembling a parent.

Temperament: An ordinary cause: parents find some temperaments easier; check whether the favoured child was simply easier.

Also said as

• my sister was the favourite growing up
• my mum clearly loves my brother more
• parents who play favourites with adult children
• why do my parents treat my sibling better
• favouritism from my parents
• my brother got more love and attention than me