Personality, temperament and adolescent adjustment in modern Russia

This study examined the predictive power of three temperament/personality measures—the EPQ which assessed dimensions of Eysenck’s personality model, the Gray–Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) which assessed dimensions of Gray’s model, and the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS-R)—on adjustment measured by academic achievement and mental health with a sample of 255 Russian adolescents. Academic achievement in boys was predicted by parent’s education level and intact family; in girls, parent education, DOTS-R Flexibility and General Rhythmicity together accounted for 31% of variance. Conduct Problems in boys were predicted by GWPQ Behavioural Activation and DOTS-R General Rhythmicity; in girls, the only significant predictor was Flexibility. Emotional Problems were influenced by living conditions and GWPQ Behavioural Inhibition. Total Difficulties were predicted by living conditions, Flexibility and Psychoticism. These adolescent temperament-mental health and -academic achievement findings were discussed within the context of adolescent development in modern Russia.