Cross-Cultural Comparability of Temperament among Japanese and American Early- and Late-Adolescents

Abstract

The cross-cultural generalizability of temperament, as measured by the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS-R) (Windle & Lerner, 1986), was investigated by studying metric equivalent relations between samples of Japanese and American early adolescents, and between samples of Japanese and American late adolescents. Similar to findings for the American adolescent samples, nine-and ten-factor models were found to adequately represent the inter-item covariance matrix of the DOTS-R for the Japanese early and late-adolescents, respectively. Metric equivalence between the early-and late-adolescent samples, respectively, was supported via congruence coefficients and restricted (confirmatory), simultaneous group models for each of the separate temperament dimensions. Statistical tests of differences in factor means were conducted and indicated that American early-and late-adolescents rated themselves higher in approach behavior, mood quality (positive affect), and task orientation. The Japanese early adolescents rated themselves higher with respect to features of behavioral rhythmicity. No statistically significant differences were found for almost one-half of the factor mean comparisons. Proposals for future cross-cultural research in adolescent temperament which move beyond measurement equivalence issues were suggested to address issues of similarities and differences between cultural groups with respect to causal linkages. In addition, we suggest the use of additional methods of measurement conjointly with the DOTS-R in order to triangulate on salient temperament constructs.