Childhood behaviour and adult personality in male and female subjects

In a follow-up study, teacher ratings of behaviour at 13 years of age were analysed in relation to personality factors in adults (mean age 27 years) for a group of 77 male and 84 female subjects. In the male group, ratings of Aggressiveness, Motor Restlessness, and Concentration Dificulties correlated positively with a broad psychopathy-related factor. Furthermore, ratings of Timidity correlated positively with two anxiety factors. In the female group, ratings of Motor Restlessness correlated positively with an extraversion factor. The rated childhood behaviours and the adult personality factors were assumed to be a differential reflection of vulnerability to externalizing and internalizing psychosocial disturbances.