Religious affect and personality among 9- to 13-year-old children in the Republic of Ireland: introducing the Junior Personality Scales in Three Dimensions (JPS3D)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study builds on earlier research locating individual differences in religious affect within the three dimensional space proposed by Eysenck. The 18-item Junior Personality Scales in Three Dimensions (JPS3D) were designed to refine Eysenck’s conceptualisation of the three dimensions of personality and to improve measurement of these dimensions among children by employing a five-point rating scale. Data provided by 1048 students in fourth class, by 1044 students in fifth class, and by 1079 students in sixth class within Church of Ireland (Anglican) primary schools in the Republic of Ireland confirmed the clear factor structure of the 18 items on a varimax rotated solution, demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency reliability for the three indices in terms of Cronbach’s alpha, and supported construct validity. Positive religious affect was associated with lower toughmindedness scores and higher extraversion scores, but independent of anxiety scores.