Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Temperament and Character Inventory: a study of university and college students

ObjectiveThe Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is a widely used self-report measure of adult personality.MethodWe studied 586 Japanese university and college students with the 125-item version of the Japanese TCI.ResultsThe factor structure of the TCI scales was similar to that reported in other languages. Depression was positively correlated with Novelty Seeking and Harm Avoidance but inversely correlated with Persistence, Self-Directedness, and Cooperativeness. Good Self-Image in the framework of adult attachment was correlated positively with Self-Directedness but inversely with Harm Avoidance and Reward Dependence. Good Other-Image in the framework of adult attachment was positively correlated with Reward Dependence and Cooperativeness. The scores of the TCI scales were stable over a time span of 1.5 to 2 months.ConclusionThe Japanese version of the TCI may be a valid and reliable measure of temperament and character, at least among the adolescent and young adult population.