C.F.M. van Lieshout

Adolescent Personality Types and Subtypes and Their Psychosocial Adjustment

Recent studies have suggested the existence of three personality types: resilients, overcontrollers, and undercontrollers. In this article, we searched for subtypes within each of the three main personality types. Using cluster analysis on the Big Five personality self-descriptions of 3,284 Dutch adolescent boys and girls, we distinguished communal and agentic resilients, vulnerable and achieving overcontrollers, and impulsive and oppositional undercontrollers. About two-thirds of the communal resilients and vulnerable overcontrollers were girls; agentic resilients and oppositional undercontrollers were mainly boys. The personality subtypes were further validated on a comprehensive set of self- and peer-reported adjustment measures, including perceived relational support, psychological well-being, delinquency, bullying involvement, peer acceptance and rejection, and peer-reported behavior. The personality subtypes were associated with very distinctive adjustment patterns.

Personality profiles of children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1

The personality profile of 44 youngsters (24 males, 20 females; mean age 11 years, 3 months) with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was compared with a group of 220 non‐NF1 control youngsters (matched on age and gender). Personality characteristics of each youngster were rated by both parents, using the California Child Q‐set (CCQ); [Block and Block, 1980]. The scores on eight personality dimensions were compared, i.e., Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, Openness, Motor Activity, Irritability, and Dependency. Moreover, personality of NF1 youngsters was related to IQ level, severity of medical problems, the presence or absence of visible cosmetic disfigurements, and de novo versus familial origin of NF1. The personality profile of NF1 youngsters was markedly different from the non‐NF1 youngsters. Compared to the 220 control children, they were equally agreeable, but less conscientious, less emotionally stable, less open for new experience, with less motor activity, and more extravert, more dependent, and more irritable. Personality characteristics were similar for children with maternally or paternally inherited NF1, or for children with a new mutation. There was no association with gender, the severity of medical and cosmetic problems, and IQ.