Personality-Relationship Transaction in Adolescence: Core Versus Surface Personality Characteristics

• Published in: Journal of personality Vol. 71; no. 4; pp. 629 - 666
• Main Authors: Asendorpf, Jens B., Van Aken, Marcel A. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing 01-08-2003; Blackwell; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescence; Adolescent; Adolescents; Behavioural psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Changes; Developmental psychology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Interpersonal relationships; Loneliness - psychology; Longitudinal studies; Male; Perceived social support; Personality; Personality traits; Psychological Theory; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Self Concept; Social interaction; Social interactions. Communication. Group processes; Social psychology; Social relations; Social Support; Teenagers; Transactions; Human; Correlation analysis; Follow up study; Social interaction; Social isolation; Adolescent; Self esteem; Personality; Interpersonal relation; Social support
• ISSN: 0022-3506; 1467-6494
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-6494.7104005

Personality effects on perceived support from social relationships and vice versa were longitudinally studied over adolescence. Within personality, core (Big Five personality traits) and surface characteristics (global self‐worth, perceived peer acceptance, and loneliness) were distinguished. Core, but not surface, characteristics at age 12 predicted support from both parents and peers at age 17 after controlling for support at age 12. Support at age 12 predicted surface, but not core, characteristics at age 17 after controlling for personality at age 12. These findings are interpreted within a dual model of personality–relationship transaction. Core characteristics are relatively stable traits that are largely immune against experiences in relationships and continuously influence their flux and flow. Surface characteristics are more open to relationship influences, and are therefore less stable.