J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.  2012 Mar;23(1):14-22.

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

• Jun YS
• Kim TH
• Hwang ST
• Kwon EJ
• Lim MO

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.

Keyword

Ego Resilience; Ego Control; Temperament; Character Trait

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
California
Child
Ego
Exploratory Behavior
Humans
Parents
Temperament