Personality predictors of successful development: toddler temperament and adolescent personality traits predict well-being and career stability in middle adulthood

PLoS One. 2015 Apr 28;10(4):e0126032. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126032. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to predict both adaptive psychological functioning (well-being) and adaptive social functioning (career stability) in middle adulthood based on behaviors observed in toddlerhood and personality traits measured in adolescence. 83 people participated in an ongoing longitudinal study started in 1961 (58% women). Based on children's behavior in toddlerhood, three temperamental dimensions were identified - positive affectivity, negative affectivity and disinhibition. In adolescence, extraversion and neuroticism were measured at the age of 16 years. Various aspects of well-being were used as indicators of adaptive psychological functioning in adulthood: life satisfaction, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Career stability was used as an indicator of adaptive social functioning. Job careers of respondents were characterized as stable, unstable or changeable. Extraversion measured at the age of 16 proved to be the best predictor of well-being indicators; in case of self-efficacy it was also childhood disinhibition. Extraversion in adolescence, childhood disinhibition and negative affectivity predicted career stability. Findings are discussed in the context of a theoretical framework of higher order factors of the Big Five personality constructs, stability and plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child, Preschool
  • Employment*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personality Development*
  • Temperament*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (Grant No. P407-10-2410) and Czech Republic’s support for long-term strategic development of research organization (RVO: 68081740). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.