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Early mothering experience and personality change
1School of Social Work, Boston University, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. rparis@bu.edu
Summary
Early motherhood experiences significantly impact personality development. Positive maternal engagement and commitment correlate with increased ego-resiliency and reduced vulnerability in women during their twenties.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- The early mothering experience is a critical period for women's personal development.
- Understanding the nuances of early motherhood is essential for comprehending long-term psychological outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the early mothering experience and personality change in women.
- To analyze how positive descriptions of motherhood and commitment to full-time caregiving influence personality development.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 48 women from age 21 to 27.
- Path analysis was used to examine interrelations between maternal experience, personality, marriage, and paternal involvement.
- Mothering experience was assessed based on positive descriptions and commitment to full-time caregiving.
Main Results:
- Two dimensions of early motherhood (positive experience and commitment) showed distinct relationships with maternal personality, marriage, and paternal factors.
- Both dimensions of the mothering experience were significantly associated with increased ego-resiliency.
- Both dimensions were also linked to a decrease in feelings of vulnerability between ages 21 and 27.
Conclusions:
- The quality of the early mothering experience plays a crucial role in shaping personality traits like ego-resiliency and vulnerability.
- These findings hold true even when controlling for family and work-related variables.
- The study highlights the lasting psychological impact of early maternal roles on women's development.