A personality profile of oppositional children as measured on selected scales of the personality inventory for children

• Main Author: Rapp, Doris J.
• Other Authors: Hutchinson, Roger L.
• Format: Others
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Problem children.; Negativism.; Personality.
• Online Access: http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/handle/handle/179903; http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/421999

The present study sought to investigate the personality characteristics of oppositional children, using the subscales of the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) to plot a personality profile of oppositional children. Twelve of the 16 subscales were selected for inclusion in the study. Selection criteria were based upon how closely the items that made up each scale reflected aspects of the oppositional child's personality or environment, as described in related literature.A research design was developed that compared oppositional children to non-oppositional children. Oppositional type was determined by an interview with the parent who filled out the PIC on behalf of their child. The PICs were scored; the profiles were plotted and compared to an anticipated profile of oppositional children, using expected T score elevations.The data from this study were analyzed using multivariate and univariate statistics. The .05 level of significance was established as the critical probability level.Findings1) No significant interaction existed between the sex and oppositionaltype (oppositional or non-oppositional) of the child.2) Oppositional children were found to differ significantly on the 12subscales selected for inclusion in the study.3) Oppositional children were significantly higher on 11 of the 12subscales and significantly lower on one of them.ConclusionsA personality profile of oppositional children does exist on selected scales of the PIC. Oppositional children's personality characteristics can be described using these scales.On the basis of the findings, conclusions were drawn and speculations were made concerning the utilization of the PIC to describe personality characteristics of oppositional children and for the prediction of oppositional children's PIC profiles.