The EAS temperament questionnaire--factor structure, age trends, reliability, and stability in a Norwegian sample

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Behavioral Genetics

Background:

• Childhood temperament is crucial for understanding behavioral development.
• The EAS Temperament Survey (Buss & Plomin, 1984) is a tool for assessing innate behavioral traits.
• Previous research has established the theoretical framework for EAS temperament dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the factor structure, psychometric properties, and stability of the EAS Temperament Survey in a Norwegian child population.
• To cross-validate the proposed four-factor structure (Emotionality, Activity, Shyness, Sociability) across different age points.
• To examine age and gender trends in temperament development from 18 to 50 months.

Main Methods:

• A population-based sample of 921 children aged 18 months, 784 at 30 months, and 737 at 50 months participated.
• The EAS Temperament Survey was administered to assess temperament traits.
• Factor analysis and cross-validation techniques were employed to evaluate the instrument's structure and psychometric properties.

Main Results:

• The four-factor structure of the EAS Temperament Survey (Emotionality, Activity, Shyness, Sociability) was confirmed across the age groups.
• The instrument demonstrated high stability of scores over the 3-year study period.
• Significant age trends were observed: Emotionality and Shyness increased, while Activity and Sociability decreased with age. No strong gender differences were found.

Conclusions:

• The EAS Temperament Survey exhibits a stable factor structure and psychometric properties in Norwegian children from 18 to 50 months.
• The findings support the reliability and validity of the EAS Temperament Survey for assessing early childhood temperament.
• The study provides evidence for developmental changes in specific temperament dimensions during early childhood.