Maturation of personality in adolescence.

Abstract

The present research assesses adolescent personality maturation by examining 3 measures of change and stability (i.e., mean-level change, rank-order stability, and profile similarity) of Big Five personality traits, employing data from a 5-annual-wave study with overlapping early to middle (n = 923) and middle to late (n = 390) adolescent cohorts. Results indicated that mean levels of Agreeableness and Emotional Stability increased during adolescence. There was mixed evidence for increases in Extraversion and Openness. Additionally, rank-order stability and profile similarity of adolescent personality traits clearly increased from early to late adolescence. For all change facets, the authors found evidence for gender differences in the timing of adolescent personality maturation, as girls were found to mature earlier than boys.

Stability and Change of Personality Across the Life Course: The Impact of Age and Major Life Events on Mean-Level and Rank-Order Stability of the Big Five

“…In fact, many studies of changes in personality are limited to adolescence and young adulthood (cf. Fraley & Roberts, 2005;Klimstra, Hale, Raaijmakers, Branje, & Meeus, 2009;Lüdtke et al, in press;McCrae et al, 2002;Neyer & Asendorpf, 2001;Neyer & Lehnart, 2007;Robins, Fraley, Roberts, & Trzesniewski, 2001;Vaidya, Gray, Haig, Mroczek, & Watson, 2008) because the expected effects are stronger than in older individuals. In focusing studies on younger people, however, the generalization of the results to older individuals is not possible.…”

The Relationship between Structural Dimensions of Personality and School Life in Adolescence

“…Accordingly, one of the most focused aspects in literature has been the way the expression of personality traits, such as those included in the fi ve factor model (Costa & McCrae, 1992), evolves during this period. Several empirical studies and literature reviews (Caspi, Roberts, & Shiner, 2005;Donnellan, Conger, & Burzette, 2007;Klimstra, Hale, Raaijmakers, Branje, & Meeus, 2009;Pullmann, Raudsepp, & Allik, 2006;Soto, John, Gosling, & Potter, 2011) convey the idea of both stability and change in personality, as well as the association between personality characteristics and adaptive behaviour patterns throughout this developmental period. For instance, investigation shows personality maturation throughout adolescence, with increments in mean results in Affability, Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, and emotional stability, and then a trend for more stability in personality profi les in late adolescence (Klimstra et al, 2009;Pullmann et al, 2006;Soto et al, 2011).…”

“…Several empirical studies and literature reviews (Caspi, Roberts, & Shiner, 2005;Donnellan, Conger, & Burzette, 2007;Klimstra, Hale, Raaijmakers, Branje, & Meeus, 2009;Pullmann, Raudsepp, & Allik, 2006;Soto, John, Gosling, & Potter, 2011) convey the idea of both stability and change in personality, as well as the association between personality characteristics and adaptive behaviour patterns throughout this developmental period. For instance, investigation shows personality maturation throughout adolescence, with increments in mean results in Affability, Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, and emotional stability, and then a trend for more stability in personality profi les in late adolescence (Klimstra et al, 2009;Pullmann et al, 2006;Soto et al, 2011). The fi nal phase in adolescence is special relevant in the analysis of personality evolution, since there have been signalled signifi cant modifi cations, which include a decline in negative emotionality and behavioural disinhibition (impulsiveness, irresponsibility, sensation seeking), and, on the other hand, an increase in characteristics related to higher Affability, Conscientiousness, and emotional stability (Caspi et al, 2005;Donnellan et al, 2007;Johnson, Hicks, McGue, & Iacono, 2007;McAdams & Olson, 2010).…”

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“…Gender differences in youth personality have also been documented (Klimstra, Hale, Raaijmakers, Branje, & Meeus, 2009;Soto et al, 2011;Vecchione, Alessandri, Barbaranelli, & Caprara, 2012). Especially for agreeableness, conscientiousness, and emotional stability clear gender differences emerge in late adolescence and emerging adulthood.…”