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Transitioning to adolescence: How changes in child personality and overreactive parenting predict adolescent adjustment problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2010

Alithe L. van den Akker ,
Maja Deković  and
Peter Prinzie
Alithe L. van den Akker*
Affiliation:
Utrecht University
Maja Deković
Affiliation:
Utrecht University
Peter Prinzie
Affiliation:
Utrecht University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Alithe van den Akker, Department of Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands; E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

The present study examined how changes in child Big Five personality characteristics and overreactive parenting during the transition from childhood to adolescence predict adolescent adjustment problems. The sample included 290 children, aged 8–9 years. At three moments, with 2-year intervals, mothers, fathers, and a teacher reported on the child's personality, and mothers and fathers reported on their parenting behavior. At the third measurement moment, mothers, fathers, and children reported on the child's adjustment problems. Rank-order stability of the personality dimensions and overreactive parenting were high. Univariate latent growth models revealed mean-level decreases for extraversion, conscientiousness, and imagination. Mean levels of benevolence, emotional stability, and overreactive parenting were stable. Multivariate latent growth models revealed that decreases in extraversion and emotional stability predicted internalizing problems, whereas decreases in benevolence, conscientiousness, and emotional stability predicted externalizing problems. Increases in overreactive parenting predicted externalizing, but not internalizing problems. The associations were similar for boys and girls. The results indicate that changes in child personality and overreactive parenting during the transition to adolescence are associated with adolescent adjustment problems. Overall, child personality was more important than overreactive parenting, and children were more likely to “act out” than to “withdraw” in reaction to overreactive parenting.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2010 , pp. 151 - 163
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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