Active during childhood: Undercontrolled or extraverted in late adolescence? A longitudinal study distinguishing different conceptions of childhood activity

Abstract

The role of childhood activity level in personality development is still poorly understood. Using data from a prospective study following 939 children from age 1.5 to 16.5 years, this study examined whether prospective associations of childhood activity with subsequent personality ratings in adolescence differ across two conceptualizations of childhood activity: energetic activity (defined by energy, vigor, and tempo) versus dysregulated activity (distractibility, hyperactivity, and poor self-regulation). We assessed energetic activity development (using latent growth curve modeling) at ages 1.5-8.5 years using the Activity scale from the Emotionality, Activity, and Sociability Temperament Survey, and dysregulated activity at age 8.5 using the Hyperactivity-Inattention scale from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. We then used these two kinds of activity measures (mother-reported) to predict personality self-descriptions on the Big Five Inventory 8 years later. Personality traits were first regressed on mean levels of energetic and dysregulated activity at age 8.5 years and subsequently regressed on the growth factors of energetic activity development. Results showed mean-level changes in the entire sample as energetic activity decreased by more than 1 SD across childhood (i.e., -0.18 SD per year). Energetic activity at age 8.5 positively predicted higher levels of both the Big Five extraversion domain and the self-discipline facet of conscientiousness at age 16.5. In contrast, dysregulated activity at age 8.5 predicted lower levels of both conscientiousness and agreeableness. The findings advocate for a distinction between energetic and dysregulated activity in temperament and personality theories, addressing inconsistencies in previous research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).