Abstract

This study examined the relationship between maternal personality and children’s impulse control. Based on past research, parenting was the proposed mediator of this relationship. Thirty mothers and their 2-year-old children were recruited using public birth records. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess maternal personality (NEO Five-Factor Inventory) and child-rearing attitudes (Parental Modernity Scale). In a laboratory setting, observational assessments were made of parenting quality and child impulsivity. Results showed no significant associations between maternal personality and children’s impulse control or between parenting and children’s impulse control. However, significant associations were found between certain maternal personality characteristics and parenting measures (self-reported and observational). Limitations that may have contributed to the relatively weak findings are discussed.