Temperament in Middle Childhood: Relation to Childhood Happiness and to Happiness and Health Entering Middle Adulthood

The empirical links between middle childhood temperament profiles, concurrent happiness, and happiness and health entering middle adulthood were investigated in this longitudinal study traversing three decades of development. A cross-informant/cross-context methodology was employed. Data were derived from the Fullerton Longitudinal Study. This study is a community-based sample in the United States. At 8, 10, and 12 years, children’s (N = 107, 52% male, 90% Euro-American) temperament was rated by mothers using the Middle Childhood Temperament Questionnaire. Teachers reported children’s happiness in the classroom annually from 8 to11 years (N = 344). When children reached age 38 years in 2017, they completed scales measuring happiness and health. To determine temperament profiles during childhood, a person-centered approach using latent profile analysis was conducted. Three distinct profiles emerged and were labeled more regulated, intermediate, and less regulated. Teachers’ reports and self-reports served as outcomes. Happiness and health outcomes were in the expected direction, controlling for sex and family SES. Specifically, outcomes were most favorable in the more regulated profile and least favorable in the less regulated profile, with the intermediate profile in between. Children with more regulated temperament profiles compared to the other profiles were happier in the school context and both happier and healthier via self-ratings upon entering middle adulthood.