Self–Regulation and Personality Profiles: Empirical Development, Longitudinal Stability and Predictive Ability

Abstract

We used Latent Profile and Latent Profile Transition Analysis to empirically develop and compare competing models of personality profiles (three-and four-profile models). We do so using data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study, a large longitudinal national probability sample of New Zealanders. Both three-and four-profile solutions demonstrated good fit and longitudinal stability. Trait configurations and predictive outcomes of the fourprofile model were the most interpretable in terms of the theoretical literature, as this solution mirrored the theoretical foundation of self-regulatory ego-constructs. This supported the interpretation of a four-profile model as providing a useful distinction over and above the three-profile model. We conclude that, compared to the three-profile model, the four-profile solution provides a better foundation to serve as a complementary approach to variable-centre research.

Taking a person-centered approach to personality: A latent-profile analysis of the HEXACO model of personality

“…Regardless of the labeling issue, it is important to note that Isler et al (2016) also demonstrated consistency in the profile structure within the sample over time. Moreover, using latent transition analysis (LTA), they demonstrated a high degree of within-person consistency.…”

“…More recently, Isler et al (2016) applied LPA to data obtained using the mini IPIP, a 20-item measure of the FFM dimensions from the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP), and 4 additional items to measure Honest-Humility and approximate the HEXACO. The measures were administered on two separate occasions to a randomly selected sample of registered voters in New Zealand.…”

“…They used the label 'brittle' to describe the fourth profile where scores on most dimensions were in the undesirable direction. Isler et al (2016) explained the superiority of the 4-profile solution in terms of its ability to more accurately capture the true interaction between Ego-control and Ego-resilience. Little attention was paid to the potential influence of the inclusion of the Honesty-Humility dimension.…”

“…Over the last two decades an increasing number of researchers have begun to take a personcentered approach to the study of personality (e.g., Asendorpf, Borkenau, Ostendorf, & van Aken, 2001;Herzberg & Roth, 2006;Isler, Liu, Sibley, & Fletcher, 2016). The person-centered approach differs from, and complements, the more traditional-variable centered approach in several respects.…”

“…We are aware of only two person-centered studies to date conducted using the HEXACO dimensions (Aston & Lee, 2009;Isler et al, 2016), and the investigators came to quite different conclusions about the nature and meaningfulness of the underlying profile structure. Consistency is arguably an important criterion in evaluating the meaningfulness of the profiles identified in personcentered research (Herzberg & Roth, 2006;Morin, Meyer, Creusier, & Biétry, 2016), and there are too few HEXACO studies at this point to draw any firm conclusions.…”