big five personality traits and trajectories of fertility expectations across the reproductive age period
Ozoruc,Ilayda Vermunt,Jeroen Ivanova,Katya van Scheppingen,Manon
Ozoruc,Ilayda
Vermunt,Jeroen
Ivanova,Katya
van Scheppingen,Manon
Abstract
Objective In recent decades, increased freedom of choice and advancements in fertility regulation have allowed individuals to follow different fertility paths. This greater autonomy provides room for personality traits to shape long-term fertility expectations, which in turn can be predictive of fertility outcomes. The present study investigates how Big Five personality traits are related to fertility expectations trajectories and outcomes. Method We used a representative Dutch sample who was non-parents at the start of the study (N = 5231). We explored the development of fertility expectations (i.e., Do you think you will have children in the future?) across ages 18-49. We conducted joint latent class analyses. Results Having a stable expectation to become a parent was the largest class. However, the majority deviated from this trajectory. The identified classes varied in their probability of becoming a parent or not. Men and women who had stable parenthood expectations scored higher on agreeableness and extraversion. Additionally, men scored higher on conscientiousness and openness, and lower on neuroticism compared to some of the other classes. Conclusions People show substantial variation in their fertility expectation trajectories across reproductive age. Especially in men, Big Five personality traits are related to fertility expectations trajectories.
Description
Date
2025-09-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Big Five personality traits, Fertility expectations, Joint latent class modeling, Parenthood, Reproductive age
Citation
Ozoruc, I, Vermunt, J, Ivanova, K & van Scheppingen, M 2025, 'big five personality traits and trajectories of fertility expectations across the reproductive age period', Journal of Personality. https://doi.org/10.1111/jopy.70021
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess