Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Successful Development: Childhood Antecedents of Adaptive Psychosocial Functioning in Adulthood

  • Published:
Journal of Adult Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study was part of the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development. Data on developmental background for 131 women and 130 men consisted of variables for (1) emotion regulation at age 8, (2) cognitive–motivational orientation at age 14, and (3) family circumstances, and data on adult outcomes for variables concerning psychosocial functioning at age 36. Links between the childhood and adulthood variables were investigated using the LISREL model which consisted of two parts, the measurement model and the structural equation model. Two correlating latent factors emerged from adult outcomes for men and women: Social Functioning, consisting of external criteria for successful development (stability of career line, controlled drinking, socialization) and Psychological Functioning, consisting of internal criteria (self-esteem and psychological well-being). Only Social Functioning was explained by developmental background. High emotion regulation in childhood was a more robust antecedent of good social functioning in men than in women.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Af Klinteberg, B., Schalling, D., & Magnusson, D. (1986). Selfreport assessment of personality traits. Data from the KSP inventory on a representive sample of normal male and female subjects within a developmental project (Rep. No. 64). University of Stockholm, Department of Psychology.

  • Af Klinteberg, B., Schalling, D., & Magnusson, D. (1990). Childhood behavior and adult personality in male and female subjects. European Journal of Personality, 4, 57–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asendorpf, J. B., & van Aken, M. A. (1999). Resilient, overcontrolled, and undercontrolled personality prototypes in childhood: Replicability, predictive power, and the trait-type issue. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77, 815–832.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P.B. Baltes & M.M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from behavioral sciences (pp. 1–34). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B., Lindenberger, U., & Staudinger, U. M. (1998). Lifespan theory in developmental psychology. In W. Damon & R. M. Lerner (Eds.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. vn1. Theoretical models of human development: (pp. 1029–1143). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumrind, D. (1991). Effective parenting during the early adolescent transitions. In P. A. Cowan & E.M. Hetherington (Eds.), Family transitions (pp. 111–163). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Block, J. (1971). Lives through time. Berkeley, CA: Bancroff.

    Google Scholar 

  • Block, J. (2000). Three tasks for personality psychology. In L. R. Bergman, L.-G. Nilsson, & L. Nystedt (Eds.), Developmental science and the holistic approach (pp. 137–155). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Block, J. H., & Block, J. (1980). The role of ego-control and egoresiliency in the organization of behavior. In A. W. Collins (Ed.), The Minnesota symposia on child psychology: Vol. vn13. Development of cognition, affect, and social relations (pp. 39–101). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bollen, K. A., & Long, J. S. (1993). Introduction. In K. A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models (pp. 1–9). Newsbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandtstädter, J. (1998). Action perspectives on human development. In W. Damon (Editor-in-Chief) & R. M. Lerner (Vol. Ed.) Handbook of child psychology (Vol. 1, pp. 807–863). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caspi, A. (1998). Personality development across the life course. In W. Damon (Series Ed.) & N. Eisenberg (Vol. Ed.), Handbook of child psychology: Vol. 3. Social, emotional, and personality psychology (5th ed., pp. 311–388). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caspi, A. (2000). The child is the father of the man: Personality continuities from childhood to adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 158–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H., Jr. (1986). Military times and turning points in men's lives. Developmental Psychology, 22, 233–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H., Jr. (1998). Life-course and human development. In W. Damon (Editor-in-Chief) & R. M. Lerner (Vol. Ed.), Handbook of child psychology (Vol.1, pp. 939–991). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elder, G. H., Jr., & Crosnoe, R. (2002). The influence of early behavior patterns on later life. In L. Pulkkinen & A. Caspi (Eds.), Paths to successful development: Personality in the life course (pp. 157–176). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. (1950). Childhood and society. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, J. A. (1984). Detecting alcoholism: The CAGE Questionnaire. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 252,1905–1907.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, D. P. (1991). Childhood aggression and adult violence: Early precursors and later life outcomes. In K. H. Rubin & D. Pepler (Eds.), The development and treatment of childhood aggression (pp. 169–188). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graziano, W.G., & Eisenberg, N. (1997). Agreeableness:A dimension of Personality. In R. Hogan, J. Johnson, & S. Briggs (Eds.), Handbook of personality psychology (pp. 795–824). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haavio-Mannila, E., & Kelam, A. (1996). Young families and gender roles in Estonia and Finland in 1984 and 1993. Idäntutkimus, 3/4, 79–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havighurst, R. J. (1972). Developmental tasks and education (3rd. ed.). NewYork: David McKay. (Original work published 1948)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heckhausen, J. (1999). Developmental regulation in adulthood: Age-normative and sociostructural constraits as adaptive challenges. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heckhausen, J., & Schulz, R. (1995). A life-span theory of control. Psychological Review, 102, 284–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helson, R., Mitchell, V., & Moane, G. (1984). Personality and patterns of adherence and nonadherence to the social clock. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 1079–1096.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hämäläinen, M., & Pulkkinen, L. (1996). Problem behavior as a precursor of male criminality. Development and Psychopathology, 8,443–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K.G. (1993). Testing structural equation models. In K.A. Bollen & J. S. Long (Eds.), Testing structural equation models (pp. 294–316). Newsbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K.G., & Sörbom, D. (1996a). LISREL 8: User's reference guide (2nd. ed.). Chicago: Scientific Software International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K.G., & Sörbom, D. (1996b). PRELIS 2: User's reference guide (3rd. ed.). Chicago: Scientific Software International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keyes, C. L. M., & Ryff, C. D. (1998). Generativity in adult lives: Social, structural contours and quality of life consequences. In D. P. McAdams & E. de St. Aubin (Eds.), Generativity and adult development (pp. 227–263). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinnunen, U., & Pulkkinen, L. (1998). Linking economic stress to marital quality among Finnish marital couples: Mediator effects. Journal of Family IssuesP, 19, 705–724.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinnunen, U., & Pulkkinen, L. (2002). Childhood socioemotional characteristics as antecedents of marital stability and quality. Manuscript submitted for publication.

  • Kokko, K. (2001). Antecedents and consequences of long-term unemployment (Jyväskylä Studies in Education, Psychology and Social Research, No. 183). Jyväskylä, Finland: University of Jyväskylä.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kokko, K., & Pulkkinen, L. (2000). Aggression in childhood and long-term unemployment in adulthood. A cycle of maladaptation and some protective factors. Developmental Psychology, 36,463–472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kokkonen, M. (2001). Emotion regulation and physical health in adulthood: A longitudinal, personality-oriented approach (Jyväskylä Studies in Education, Psychology and Social Research, No. 184). Jyväskylä, Finland: University of Jyväskylä.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kokkonen, M., Kinnunen, T., & Pulkkinen, L. (in press). Direct and indirect effects of adolescent self-control of emotions and behavioural expression on adult health outcomes. Psychology and Health.

  • Laursen, B., Pulkkinen, L., & Adams, R. (2001). The antecedents and correlates of agreeableness in adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 138, 591–603.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinson, D. J. (1978). The seasons of a man's life. NewYork: Knopf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loevinger, J. (1997). Stages of personality development. In R. Hogan, J. Johnson, & S. Briggs (Eds.), Handbook of personality psychology (pp. 199–208). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson, D. (1988). Individual development from an interactional perspective: Longitudinal study in paths through life (Vol. 1). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson, D. (1998). The logic and the implications of a person-oriented approach. In R. B. Cairns, L. R. Bergman, & J. Kagan (Eds.), Methods and models for studying the individual (pp. 33–6). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnusson, D., & Bergman, L. R. (1990). A pattern approach to the study of pathways from childhood to adulthood. In L. N. Robins & M. Rutter (Eds.), Straight and devious pathways from childhood to adulthood (pp. 101–115). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Männikkö, K., & Pulkkinen, L. (2001). Parenting and personality styles: A long-term longitudinal approach. In J. R. M. Gerris (Ed.), Dynamics of parenting (pp. 179–195). Leuven, Belgium: Garant-Uitvegers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsiske, M., Lang, F. R., Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1995). Selective optimization with compensation: Life-span perspectives on successful human development. In R. A. Dixon & L. Bäckman (Eds.), Compensating for psychological deficits and declines: Managing losses and promoting gains (pp. 35–79). Mahwah NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S., & Coatsworth, J.D. (1998). The development of competence in favorable and unfavorable environments: Lessons from research on successful children. American Psychologist, 53,205–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • McNemar, Q. (1969). Psychological statistics (4th ed.). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metsäpelto, R.-L., Pulkkinen, L., & Poikkeus, A.-M. (2001). A search for a parenting style: A cross-contextual analysis of parenting behaviors. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 127, 169–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nysträom, M. (1993). Alcohol use, drinking patterns and indicators of heavy drinking in Finnish university students. Helsinki, Finland: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitkänen, L. (1969). A descriptive model of aggression and nonaggression with applications to children's behavior. (Jyväskylä. Studies in Education, Psychology, and Social Research,Whole No. 19). Jyväskylä, Finland: University of Jyväskylä.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L. (1982). Self-control and continuity from childhood to adolescence. In B. P. Baltes & O.G. Brim Jr. (Eds.), Lifespan development & behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 63–105). Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L. (1995). Behavioral precursors to accidents and resulting physical impairment. Child Development, 66, 1660–1679.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L. (1996). Female and male personality styles: A typological and developmental analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 1288–1306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L. (1998). Levels of longitudinal data differing in complexity and the study of continuity in personality characteristics. In R.B. Cairns, L.R. Bergman, & J. Kagan (Eds.), Methods and models for studying the individual (pp. 161–184). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L. (2001). Reveller or striver? How childhood selfcontrol predicts adult social behavior? In A. C. Bohart & D. J. Stipek (Eds.), Constructive and destructive behavior: Implications for family, school, and society. (pp. 167–185). Washington, DC: APA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L., & Caspi, A. (2002). Personality and paths to successful development: An overview. In L. Pulkkinen & A. Caspi (Eds.), Paths to successful development: Personality in the life course (pp. 1–16). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L., Kokkonen, M., & Mäkiaho, A. (1998). Positive affectivity, self-mastery, and a sense of failure as predictors of self-assessed health. European Psychologist, 3, 133–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L., Ohranen, M., & Tolvanen, A. (1999). Personality antecedents of career orientation and stability among women compared to men. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 54, 37–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L., & Pitkänen, T. (1994). A prospective study of the precursors to problem drinking in young adulthood. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 55, 578–587.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pulkkinen, L., & Rönkä, A. (1994). Personal control over development, identity formation, and future orientation as components of life orientation: A developmental approach. Developmental Psychology, 30, 260–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauhala, U. (1966). Suomalaisen yhteiskunnan sosiaalinen kerrostuneisuus [Social structure of the Finnish society].Helsinki, Finland: Werner Söderström Oy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, B.W., & DelVecchio, W. F. (2000). The rank-order consistency of personality traits from childhood to old age: A quantitative review of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 126,3–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rönkä, A. (1999). The accumulation of problems of social functioning. (Jyväskylä Studies in Education, Psychology and Social Research, No 148.) Jyväskylä, Finland: University of Jyväskylä.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rönkäa, A., Kinnunen U., & Pulkkinen, L. (2000). The accumulation of problems of social functioning as a long-term process: Women and men compared. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 24, 442–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rönkä, A., Kinnunen, U., & Pulkkinen, L. (2001). Continuity in problems of social functioning in adulthood:Acumulative perspective. Journal of Adult Development, 8, 161–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57, 316–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1994). Concepts of causation, tests of causal mechanisms, and implications for interventions. In A.C. Petersen & J. T. Mortimer (Eds.), Youth unemployment and society (pp. 147–171). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., & Quinton, D. (1984). Long-term follow-up of women institutionalized in childhood: Factors promoting good functioning in adult life. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 2,191–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Quinton, D., & Hill, J. (1990). Adult outcome of institution-reared children: Males and females compared. In L. N. Robins & M. Rutter (Eds.), Straight and devious pathways from childhood to adulthood (pp. 135–157). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C.D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal ofPersonality and Social Psychology, 57, 1067–1081.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanford, R. N. (1962). The American college. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selzer, M. L. (1971). The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test: The quest for a new diagnostic instrument. American Journal of Psychiatry, 127, 1653–1658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shiner, R. L. (2000). Linking childhood personality with adaptation: Evidence for continuity and change across time into late Adolescence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 78, 310–325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpura, J. (Ed.) (1987). Finnish drinking habits: Results from interview surveys held in 1968, 1976 and 1984 (Vol. 35) Helsinki, Finland: The Finnish Foundation for Alcohol Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Finland (1998). Työ, aika ja elämänvaiheet [Work, time and life phases].Vantaa, Finland: Tummavuoren Kirjapaino Oy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stattin, H., & Magnusson, D. (1996). Antisocial development: A holistic approach. Development and Psychopathology, 8, 617–645.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, L. (1991). Authoritative parenting and adolescent adjustment across varied ecological niches. Journal of Adolescence, 1,19–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, L., Elmen, J. D., & Mounts, N. S. (1989). Authoritative parenting, psychosocial maturity, and academic success among adolescents. Child Development, 60, 1424–1436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steverink, N., Lindenberg, S., & Ormel, J. (1998). Towards understanding ageing: Patterned change in resources and goals. Ageing and society, 18, 441–467.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B.G., & Fidell, L. S. (1996). Using multivariate statistics (3rd ed.). New York: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Lieshout, C. F. M. (2000). Life-span personality development: Self-organizing goal-oriented agents and developmental outcome. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 24, 276–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E. E., & Smith, R. S. (1982). Vulnerable but invincible: Study of resilient children. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E. E., & Smith, R. S. (1992). Overcoming the odds: High-risk children from birth to adulthood. New York: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E. E., & Smith, R. S. (2001). Journeys from childhood to midlife: Risk, resilience, and recovery. New York: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

    Lea Pulkkinen, Hille Nygren & Katja Kokko

Authors
  1. Lea Pulkkinen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hille Nygren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Katja Kokko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lea Pulkkinen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pulkkinen, L., Nygren, H. & Kokko, K. Successful Development: Childhood Antecedents of Adaptive Psychosocial Functioning in Adulthood. Journal of Adult Development 9, 251–265 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020234926608

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020234926608

Search

Navigation