Kids Whose Parents Have 4 Defining Personality Traits Do Better Than Everyone Else In Life, According To Research
Lane V. Erickson / Shutterstock The Big Five personality traits model has been around since at least 1929, although the specific details have evolved over time. Today, personality researchers who rely on the model say that the way we each think, behave, and feel what we feel falls somewhere along the spectrums of openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
These traits affect how we show up in all aspects of our lives, and researchers recently found that when parents have four traits in particular, their children tend to do particularly well in life compared to those whose parents lack the same traits. Some of these traits are fairly fixed, but if you really want to put in the work for the benefit of your kids, some amount of change is possible.
Research shows that kids whose parents have these defining personality traits tend to do better than everyone else in life
1. Openness without neuroticism
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Being open doesn’t just mean accepting new perspectives or trying new things. It also refers to someone’s imagination and creativity. Parents who are open without being neurotic encourage their kids to explore and find what they truly love.
These parents help their kids find hobbies they enjoy and stay consistent with them. By encouraging their children to explore new activities, parents help them identify and develop their passions. Being passionate about something usually makes people work harder because they're excited to get it done. These parents help their kids stay committed to their goals without pressuring them to meet certain expectations.
2. Extroversion
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Being extroverted is all about gaining energy from the people around you. Parents who have this trait are able to talk to whoever they meet, even if they didn’t know them before. Seeing their parents do this teaches kids valuable lessons about social skills and making connections.
While the study found that extroverted parents can cause some problems, it’s better than having parents with a more neurotic personality. Kids raised with neurotic parents often struggle with their commitment to their grades and extracurriculars. It harms kids' overall health, unlike extroverted parents.
While extroverted parents aren’t always committed to their kids' grades, they are usually committed to them being social. That’s just as important for finding meaningful connections, as it helps them have better social skills and makes them less likely to isolate themselves.
3. Agreeableness
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Being agreeable can be hard, but it’s important. When a parent doesn’t have that trait, they may get into unnecessary drama or get stuck in their ways. But agreeable parents are able to be cooperative and get along with the people around them.
These parents teach their kids strong conflict-resolution skills. They don’t let their kids get caught up in gossip or avoid taking accountability. They teach them to be flexible and respect other people’s opinions. This helps these kids build strong relationships with others.
Agreeable parents are also shown to help their kids' health. Parents who scored higher in this category were much more likely to have physically healthy children.
4. Conscientiousness
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Being conscientious means you think deeply about the things you’re doing. These people are deliberate with their interactions, and they want to make the most of them. They’re careful about other people‘s boundaries and make sure to respect them. They’re aware that crossing someone’s boundaries can be really harmful to someone’s mental health and don't want to do that.
These parents also help their kids' physical health. The authors of the study note that “kids are likely to be healthier if their parents are conscientious.” These parents know the importance of physical health because it’s another thing they’ve thought long and hard about. They encourage their kids to exercise and eat healthy. If their kid isn’t doing those things, they’ll step in to make sure their health is taken care of. They understand its importance and can think through new strategies to keep their kids happy and healthy.
Lily Bell is a college student studying English and Publications who covers relationships, mental health, and personal narratives surrounding the human experience.
