title: The structure of temperament in preschoolers: a two-stage factor analytic approach.
abstract: The structure of temperament traits in young children has been the subject of extensive debate, with separate models proposing different trait dimensions. This research has relied almost exclusively on parent-report measures. The present study used an alternative approach, a laboratory observational measure, to explore the structure of temperament in preschoolers. A 2-stage factor analytic approach, exploratory factor analyses (n = 274) followed by confirmatory factor analyses (n = 276), was used. We retrieved an adequately fitting model that consisted of 5 dimensions: Sociability, Positive Affect/Interest, Dysphoria, Fear/Inhibition, and Constraint versus Impulsivity. This solution overlaps with, but is also distinct from, the major models derived from parent-report measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, StonyBrook, NY 11794-2500, USA. mdyson@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
authors.forename: Margaret W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Olino
authors.forename: C Emily
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Durbin
authors.forename: H Hill
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: Daniel N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D019370:Observation; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013694:Temperament / Q000502:physiology*