The Development of a Big Five Adolescent Personality Inventory

Abstract

Using data from 3,752 middle and high school students, a series of eight studies developed and validated a measure of the Big Five personality traits tailored to adolescents, the Adolescent Personal Style Inventory (APSI). Study 1 tested the internal consistency reliability of the first version of the APSI. Study 2 validated the APSI against teacher ratings of Big Five traits. Study 3 confirmed the five-factor structure of the APSI. Study 4 developed evidence for the criterion-related validity of the APSI in two high schools using GPA, absences, and behavior problems. Study 5 demonstrated convergence of traits measured in the APSI and the NEO-FFI. Study 6 investigated the construct validity of the APSI in relation to the 16 PF, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and Otis-Lennon intelligence test. Study 7 examined known-group validation with two groups-an at-risk group of high school students and a high school leadership group. Study 8 provided descriptive statistics, coefficient alphas ranging from .80 to .85, and intercorrelation coefficients for subscales in the revised version of the APSI. Together the eight studies demonstrate the psychometric adequacy of the new Adolescent Personal Style Inventory.