Correlates of maternal Openness

This study explored correlates of maternal trait Openness, drawing on data from a large, nationally representative sample of children in the UK. This was collected from mothers when their children were at the age of 9 months, 3, 7, 11 and 15 years old. The outcome variable was maternal trait Openness, in a sample of 7,856 mothers who were, on average, 28 years old when their child was born. Structural equation modelling showed that maternal psychological distress and self-esteem, as well as parent-child relationship, children's behavioural problems and maternal educational qualifications all had modest, but significant and direct, effects on maternal trait Openness. The strongest predictor was maternal educational qualifications, though all effect sizes were small. Age was significantly, and positively, associated with the outcome variable. Speculations about processes and mechanisms are made. The limitations are also discussed.