Chinese parents' evaluation of children's temperament differences:Factor Analysis Based on PTQ Child Temperament Scale

[Objective] Explore the dimensions and factor structure of children's temperament described by Chinese parents, Reveal the characteristics and reasons of children's temperament that parents pay attention to, Explore the changing trend of parents' assessment of children's temperament. [Methods] The PTQ temperament scale was used to investigate 1000 children, and exploratory factor analysis(EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) was adopted to examine its construction. [Results] EFA showed that five dimensions could be summarized, which were negative emotions and adaptability, concentration, activity level, flexibility and self-control, shyness or social withdrawal. Five factors cumulatively explained 33.485% of the variance. The CFA supported the five-dimension model and main fit index included χ2/df = 2.79, GFI = 0.876, CFI = 0.843, IFI = 0.844, AGFI = 0.850, RMSEA = 0.060. Each item's factor loading valued between 0.397 and 0.778, and the correlation coefficient within 5 dimensions ranged from 0.133 to o.702. [Conclusion] The five-dimension model is structurally clear-stated. The results show that in the minds of Chinese parents, the dimension of children temperament of five factors is more stable. At the same time, the distribution of children's temperament structure shows a dynamic trend. It is suggested that the educators and parents of Chinese children should fully consider the uniqueness of Chinese culture and social development, and develop more socially adaptive, flexible and open parenting concepts and education methods according to the temperament and personality characteristics of Chinese children.