ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we review the literature on adolescent personality change and development, focusing on the influences of parental and adolescent traits, parenting, and context (e.g., socioeconomic status). Personality is adaptable in childhood and adolescence, and is an important contributor to future individual, interpersonal, and social outcomes. By studying personality change, researchers can clarify which traits operate adaptively or maladaptively in specific situations, or across situations. To better understand associations between parental and adolescent traits, we present the Tri-Directional Framework of Parent and Offspring Traits and Outcomes. According to this framework, parental and adolescent traits, parenting behavior, and contextual factors interactively influence adolescent personality development and change. We present methods for studying and assessing personality change in adolescence, and draw conclusions from the literature on parental traits and adolescent personality change and development. Finally, we highlight the relevance of The Tri-Directional Framework for future research.
