Childhood personality types: Vulnerability and adaptation over time

Abstract

Background: Substantial evidence suggests that a Five-Factor Model personality assessment generates a valid description of childhood individual differences and relates to a range of psychological outcomes. Less is known, however, about naturally occurring profiles of personality and their links to psychopathology. The current study explores whether childhood personality characteristics tend to cluster in particular personality profiles that show unique associations with psychopathology and quality of life across time. Methods: Latent class analysis was conducted on maternal rated general personality of a Flemish childhood community sample (N = 477; mean age 10.6 years). The associations of latent class membership probability with psychopathology and quality of life 2 years later were examined, using a multi-informant perspective. Results: Four distinguishable latent classes were found, representing a Moderate, a Protected, an Undercontrolled and a Vulnerable childhood personality type. Each of these types showed unique associations with childhood outcomes across raters. Conclusions: Four different personality types can be delineated at young age and have a significant value in understanding vulnerability and adaptation over time. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.