The Moderating Effect of Extraversion on the Relation between Self-Reported and Observed Parenting

The present study examined multiple measures of parenting (i.e., nurturance reported by parents themselves, child-centered behavior rated by trained observers, and child-reported parenting and family atmosphere) and their association with parents' personality trait of extraversion (E). The study was part of the Jyvaskyla Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development and it concerned 106 families with school-aged children (8-13 years of age). Data on parenting were collected from parents (54 mothers and 52 fathers) and children (48 girls and 58 boys) through questionnaires; in addition, behavioral observations were conducted to measure parent-child interaction. The results showed that, among parents who judged themselves to be highly nurturant, mothers were observed to be highly child-centered, if they were extraverted, whereas fathers were observed to be highly child-centered, if they were introverted. When the children's views about parenting and family atmosphere were examined, parents' introversion was related to a more favorable family environment. The results suggest that the data collection method and the information about parental personality characteristics should be considered in seeking to determine the quality of parenting.