Exploring the Perceived Relationship between Parenting Styles and the Development of Adult Personality Traits in Later Life; A Quantitative, Cross Sectional Study using Young Adults and Caregivers, using adapted Questionnaires

Abstract

An authoritative approach to parenting, which balances warmth and control is perceived as the most commonly used style of parenting and it is currently unknown if the perceptive use of the authoritarian style of parenting is associated with the development of desirable personality traits in later life. This study aimed to explore the perceived change in the style of parenting in relation to the development of personality traits within young adults in later life. Data was gathered through two questionnaires which were based on Costa and McCray’s (2020), Personality trait theory as well as Baumrind’s’ Four styles of parenting. Data was analysed through the use of descriptive statistics and research was conducted from a positivistic, quantitative perspective. A balance between high and low variations in warmth and control was found to have a relationship with the most desirable development of personality traits and adopting an authoritative, neglectful or uninvolved approach to caregiving is associated with the development of undesirable personality traits within young adults in later life. While more research is necessary to establish the effectivity of various parenting styles, an authoritative style of parenting was found to coincide with the development of the most desirable personality traits.