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The kids are alright: growth and stability in personality development from adolescence to adulthood.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Roberts, BW; Caspi, A; Moffitt, TE
Published in: Journal of personality and social psychology
October 2001

This longitudinal study provides a comprehensive analysis of continuity and change in personality functioning from age 18 to age 26 in a birth cohort (N = 921) using the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (A. Tellegen, 1982). Data were analyzed using 4 different methods: differential continuity, mean-level change, individual differences in change, and ipsative change. Convergent evidence pointing toward personality continuity, as opposed to change, was found. The personality changes that did take place from adolescence to adulthood reflected growth in the direction of greater maturity; many adolescents became more controlled and socially more confident and less angry and alienated. Consistent with this, greater initial levels of maturity were associated with less personality change over time. The results indicate that the transition from adolescence to young adulthood is marked by continuity of personality and growth toward greater maturity.

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Published In

Journal of personality and social psychology

DOI

EISSN

1939-1315

ISSN

0022-3514

Publication Date

October 2001

Volume

81

Issue

4

Start / End Page

670 / 683

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • Sex Factors
  • Random Allocation
  • Personality Development
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female
  • Child
  • Adult
 

Citation

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Roberts, B. W., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2001). The kids are alright: growth and stability in personality development from adolescence to adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(4), 670–683. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.4.670
Roberts, B. W., A. Caspi, and T. E. Moffitt. “The kids are alright: growth and stability in personality development from adolescence to adulthood.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 81, no. 4 (October 2001): 670–83. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.4.670.
Roberts BW, Caspi A, Moffitt TE. The kids are alright: growth and stability in personality development from adolescence to adulthood. Journal of personality and social psychology. 2001 Oct;81(4):670–83.
Roberts, B. W., et al. “The kids are alright: growth and stability in personality development from adolescence to adulthood.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 81, no. 4, Oct. 2001, pp. 670–83. Epmc, doi:10.1037/0022-3514.81.4.670.
Roberts BW, Caspi A, Moffitt TE. The kids are alright: growth and stability in personality development from adolescence to adulthood. Journal of personality and social psychology. 2001 Oct;81(4):670–683.

Published In

Journal of personality and social psychology

DOI

EISSN

1939-1315

ISSN

0022-3514

Publication Date

October 2001

Volume

81

Issue

4

Start / End Page

670 / 683

Related Subject Headings

  • Social Psychology
  • Sex Factors
  • Random Allocation
  • Personality Development
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Female
  • Child
  • Adult