Big Five Personality and Parenting Behavior in Mothers of Children with ADHD

Abstract

The present study explored the relationship between Big Five personality dimensions and both observed and self-reported parenting behavior in mothers of children with ADHD. Sixty-nine mothers of children with ADHD completed measures of personality and parenting behavior; fifty-seven of these mother-child dyads were included in analyses of parenting during a parent-child interaction task. Findings indicated that maternal Neuroticism was positively related to self-reported inconsistent discipline. Maternal Conscientiousness was negatively related to poor monitoring/supervision and positively related to involvement and positive parenting. In terms of observed parenting, maternal personality did not predict overall responsiveness, however, the sub-dimensions of responsiveness demonstrated consistent relationships to maternal Openness and Conscientiousness. Interactions between personality dimensions were explored, but did not contribute significantly to the overall model of maternal personality and parenting. Implications and future directions of these findings are discussed.