GREAT MOTHERS OF OPEN PERSONALITIES

*GREAT MOTHERS ALL* but those with open personalities are more likely to foster a creative environment for their children/students, a study has discovered.

Researchers from universities in Poland led by Joanna Martin Kwasnlewska, investigated the  correlation between the personality traits of mothers and how this affects the creative pursuits of their children.

Surveying over 3,000 mothers from across Poland the researchers analysed their personality based on on the  BIG FIVE TRAIT  model, which focuses on  five main traits - extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

The mothers are also had to fill a questionnaire that assessed the environment in which they raise their children and how this may impact willingness to pursue creative endeavours.

Only mothers were included in the study as in Poland, women tend to be the primary caregivers in the family.

The result of the study concluded that mothers who exhibit  OPENNESS to experience is the key positive predictor mothers' activities that shape the climate for creativity in her relationship with the child,'' the researchers wrote.

However, openness wasn't the only attribute that was found to encourage creativity. Other important characteristics were  extraversion, emotional stability and agreeableness.

Extroverted, emotionally stable and agreeable mothers were a were able to motivate their children to be innovative and learn from their mistakes.

It seems that inspiring  children/students to think outside the box and be creative comes down to a combination of four actions from their mothers:

Encouraging children to try new and different things, teaching them not to conform to the norm, teaching them how to persevere, and giving them freedom to fantasise. 

The Independent