Adulthood personality correlates of childhood adversity

<bold>Objective:</bold> Childhood adversity has been linked to internalizing and externalizing disorders and personality disorders in adulthood. This study extends that research by examining several personality measures as correlates of childhood adversity. <bold>Method:</bold> In a college sample self-reports were collected of childhood adversity, several scales relating to personality, and current depression symptoms as a control variable. The personality-related scales were reduced to four latent variables, which we termed anger/aggression, extrinsic focus, agreeableness, and engagement. <bold>Results:</bold> Controlling for concurrent depressive symptoms and gender, higher levels of reported childhood adversity related to lower agreeableness and to higher anger/aggression and extrinsic focus. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Findings suggest that early adversity is linked to personality variables relevant to the building of social connection.