A longitudinal study into the link between adolescent personality and peer-rated likeability and adjustment: Evidence of gender differences
Ciarrochi, Joseph Heaven, Patrick Charles Lionel
Ciarrochi, Joseph
Heaven, Patrick Charles Lionel
Abstract
We explored the possibility that male and female adolescents respond differently to the personality traits of their male and female peers. Students (381 boys; 389 girls) completed personality measures in Grades 7 (Mean age 12.28) through 10, and completed peer-ratings of adjustment and likeability in Grades 9 and 10. Analyses indicated that girls’ adjustment ratings were influenced by boys’ level of agreeableness, conscientiousness, and Eysenckian psychoticism, whereas boys’ ratings were relatively uninfluenced by these characteristics in girls. Girls and boys liked extraversion in the opposite-gender more than they liked it in the same gender. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding peer relationships and gender differences.
Keywords
friendships; conscientiousness; extraversion; personality; agreeableness; gender differences; adolescence; adolescents; peer ratings; likeability
Date
2009
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Research in Personality
Book
Volume
43
Issue
6
Page Range
978-986
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts