The development of eco-migrant children's extroversive behavior and its relation with personality and family environment

Abstract

Objective To explore the developmental tendency of eco-migrant children's extroversive behavior and the relationship between extroversive behavior and personality and family environment. Methods 856 eco-migrant children(aged 6-16 )participated in the present longitudinal study. At first time the Child behavior checklist(CBCL), Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) and Family environment scale(FES)were used to assess their behavioral problems, personality and family environment. Participants' parents subsequently completed measures assessing behavioral problems every nine months for 27 months. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling analyses. Results The scores of extroversive behavior in eco-migrant children were(10.09±7.11) at first time, (7.66±7.56) at the second wave, (8.54±7.49)at the third wave and(8.11±7.33)at the last time. During the longitudinal period, the descending trend of eco-migrant children's extroversive behavior was significant (β=-0.51, P<0.05). The scores of psychoticism, neuroticism, family conflict, organization, cohesion and cultural factors were differently correlated with children's extroversive behavior (β=-0.67-0.32, P<0.05). Family conflict predicted the developmental trend of children's externalizing (β=-0.46, P<0.05). Conclusion During the longitudinal period, the level of eco-migrant children's extroversive behavior decreased, and personality and family environment have significant influences on it. Key words: Eco-migrant; Children; Extroversive behavior; Personality; Family environment; Hierarchical Linear Model; The longitudinal study