Structure and stability of childhood personality: prediction of later social adjustment

Four hundred and thirty-one children (233 boys, 198 girls) born in Stockholm, Sweden had detailed behavioral assessments at 11 and 15 yrs of age, including a detailed interview with their school teachers and at age 27 yrs were re-evaluated to identify convictions for violent or property crimes. Three dimensions of childhood personality variation were identified and rated without knowledge of later outcome. These three dimensions (novelty-seeking, harm-avoidance and reward-dependence) were largely uncorrelated with one another and each was moderately predictive of later personal and social adjustment, including type of adult criminality. Factor and correlational analyses confirmed predictions that the number and structure of personality dimensions based on teacher ratings throughout childhood is similar to that observed in self-reports by adults.