Study leader Jaap Denissen of Humboldt-University Berlin assessed degrees of shyness and aggressiveness of 230 children through parental scales and teacher reports every year from their first or second year in preschool until age 12. After age 12, the sample was reassessed twice, at ages 17 and 23.

Resilient personality is characterized by above average emotional stability, IQ and academic achievement. Over control is characterized by low scores on extraversion, emotional stability and self-esteem. Under control is characterized by low scores on emotional stability and agreeableness and high scores on aggressive behavior.

The 19-year longitudinal study found resilient males were found to leave their parents' house approximately one year earlier than over controlled or under controlled children. Over controlled boys took more than a year longer than others in finding a romantic partner. Resilient boys and girls were faster in getting a part-time job than their over controlled and under controlled peers.

The study is published in the study in the Journal of Personality.

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