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

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 it teacher reported on the child's personality. and mothers and fathers reported on then 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 talent 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. hut 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 wits More important than overreactive parenting, and children were more likely to "act out" than to "withdraw" in reaction to overreactive parenting.