Temperament and Character Traits of Adolescents by Ego Resilience and Ego Control Level

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of present study is to identify the differences between temperament and character traits among adolescents classified by ego resilience and ego control level. METHODS: A Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was performed on participants, and a California Child Q-Test (CCQ) was tested for by the parents of the adolescent participants. RESULTS: The result of the factor analysis and discriminant analysis show that the participants are classified into three different groups based on CCQ score and item response patterns. The three groups are named the ego resilience group, the undercontrolled group, and the overcontrolled group. The ego resilience group indicates that they have a high level of interest and curiosity but yet they are not easily tempered. Moreover, they behave proactively with a reasonable level of responsibility in order to improve themselves. In contrast, among the undercontrolled group, it is observed that, although the group shows even higher level of interest, curiosity and honesty, they are careless, more impulsive, and have a lack of delayed gratification and shame. CONCLUSION: The overcontrolled group shows that they are the most cautious and reflective group among the three but also show emotional instability such as strong criticism and passive-aggressiveness. In this study, implications and limitations are discussed.