Geographic Variation in Personality is Associated With Fertility Across the United States

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Social Psychology
• Behavioral Economics

Background:

• Fertility levels and timing vary significantly across US regions.
• While socioeconomic and institutional factors are known drivers, regional personality differences remain underexplored.
• Understanding these differentials is crucial for demographic and social policy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between state-level personality traits and fertility patterns in the US.
• To determine if personality traits explain fertility variations beyond sociodemographics, voting behavior, and religiosity.
• To identify specific personality traits linked to traditional versus nontraditional fertility schedules.

Main Methods:

• Utilized state-level aggregate data on the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness).
• Correlated personality measures with state-specific fertility indicators (level, timing, context).
• Employed statistical controls for sociodemographic variables, voting patterns, and religiosity.

Main Results:

• States with higher agreeableness and conscientiousness demonstrated more traditional fertility patterns.
• States characterized by higher neuroticism and openness exhibited more nontraditional fertility patterns.
• These associations remained significant (r ~ |.50|) after controlling for established fertility correlates.

Conclusions:

• State-level personality traits are significant, overlooked correlates of regional fertility differentials.
• Personality variations contribute to understanding the existence and persistence of diverse fertility patterns across the US.
• Incorporating personality psychology can enhance demographic research and policy development.