The structure of temperament from age 3 to 7 years: age, sex, and sociodemographic influences

Abstract

The structure of temperament over the ages of 3 to 7 years was investigated through factor analyses of maternal ratings on the Childhood Temperament Questionnaire of a large sample of children (N = 1,366). Four strong factors and two weaker ones emerged, which were generally consistent across the three age periods. Separate analyses by sex revealed differences in temperament structure between boys and girls on only one factor. In terms of the expression of temperament, boys tended to have more negative ratings on several factors. Age and socioeconomic status differences were also observed, although they were quantitatively small. The significance of these data for the conceptualization of temperament, and linkages with recent analyses of other temperament questionnaires, were explored