Child personality in Slovenia and Russia: structure and mean level of traits in parent and self-ratings

The present study compares structure, mean trait levels, and development of child personality in Slovenia and Russia, using parent and self-reports on the Inventory of Child Individual Differences. Evidence for the Five Factor Model of child and adolescent personality structure is demonstrated across age groups, genders, and countries. In comparison with Russians, Slovenian children are rated higher on Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Openness. Some of the differences are observed even among toddlers, and these differences increase over age, suggesting that they do not arise solely in the process of socialization. Cultural differences are more pronounced for parent reports than for adolescent self-reports, suggesting that a part of these differences may reflect cultural influences on parent ratings. Keywords: personality; children; adolescents; culture