Scientists explained: “The more parents wanted their children to endorse values of self-transcendence and the less parents wanted their children to endorse the opposing values of self-enhancement, the more similar their children were to them.”

Analysing the results, the researchers went on to reveal that parents who prioritised kindness may be more empathetic and less authoritarian in their parenting style, resulting in a close emotional bond between parents and children which strengthened the transmission of the parents values, including those beyond the scope of kindness.

It was also suggested that these parents are likely to be more sensitive to others’ needs and goals and may therefore be better at at promoting their children's awareness and understanding of values.

Finally, the researchers concluded that as children understand how important helping and support are to their parents, they are more likely to accept and identify with their parents’ values.

This is the personality trait you're most likely to inherit from your parents