The pathway from child personality to adult adjustment: The road is not straight

In a prospective longitudinal study of 62 individuals from the Berkeley Guidance Study of the Institute of Human Development, we examined the pathway from early childhood personality to early adult adjustment and maladjustment. The results from a path analysis indicated that shifts in personality from childhood to adulthood, influenced by the use of defense mechanisms, was the strongest predictor of adult adjustment. Developmental shifts in Outgoingness, influenced by the use of the defense of projection, predicted better psychological health, less depression, but more anxiety. Shifts in Self-confidence, influenced by the use of the defense of identification, predicted better psychological health, less depression, and less anxiety. A theoretical explanation of these relations is provided.