Nurturing Now, Thriving Later: The Lasting Power of Affectionate Mothering

Nurturing our children with love and affection in their early years may have a lasting impact on their personality traits and life outcomes. Research has shown that positive maternal parenting can foster important qualities like openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness.

According to Jasmin Wertz, PhD, lead author of the study, “Personality traits are strong predictors of important life outcomes, from academic and career success to health and well-being.” The findings suggest that fostering a positive parenting environment in early childhood can have a small but significant impact on the development of these crucial personality traits.

The research examined data from 2,232 British identical twins who were followed from birth through age 18. Researchers found that twins whose mothers expressed more warmth toward them in childhood were rated as more open, conscientious, and agreeable as young adults.

The results offer evidence that positive, affectionate mothering can affect key personality traits linked to success later in life. Even modest changes in personality could lead to significant population-wide benefits over time, particularly in promoting conscientiousness, which is strongly associated with success in education, work, and health.

However, researchers also found no lasting associations between maternal affection and extraversion or neuroticism. This suggests that other environmental or genetic factors may be more influential for these traits in adulthood.

The findings underscore the importance of considering both genetic and environmental factors when designing programs aimed at promoting positive personality traits. Wertz believes the research provides valuable evidence for the potential of parenting programs to influence critical aspects of personality development.

The study also highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of how different factors, including genetics, parenting, and life experiences, interact to shape who we are. As Wertz notes, “This research provides important practical considerations for policymakers and practitioners working in education, family welfare, and mental health.”

Given that conscientiousness may predict success in school and the workplace, interventions designed to enhance affectionate parenting could contribute to improving educational outcomes, mental health, and social well-being on a broader scale. By targeting parenting practices that promote positive traits in childhood, it may be possible to reduce disparities in life outcomes associated with socioeconomic background, family dynamics, and other environmental factors.