Relationship between Parenting Perceptions and Personality

The purpose of the current study was to contribute to the parenting literature by investigating how perceptions of parenting (in both parents and non-parents), as outlined by the parent development theory (PDT), are related to the OCEAN personality dimensions as delineated by the Five Factor Model. The influences of age, ethnic background, and gender on the relation between parenting perceptions and personality were also considered. The study included 150 participants from the New York Metro area. Participants completed two questionnaires, the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire (PBIQ-R) and the Big Five Inventory (BFI). The OCEAN personality dimensions were found to be related to parenting. For Example, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness were consistent predictors of positive parenting perceptions. Regression analyses revealed that the relation between personality and parenting differed for participants depending on their age, ethnic background, and gender. Parents differed from non-parents on the PBIQ-R parenting dimensions of Bonding and Discipline, as well as on the PBIQ-R composite Positive and Negative Subscales. Differences in parenting perceptions related to personality have implications for education, professional practice, and future research