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.
