Personality of young adults with different life patterns

The study analyzed life patterns of young adults from the personality persp ective by using a representative sample of 637 young Germans between the ag e of 18 and 30. With respect to their close social relationships, three gro ups of respondents with different life patterns were distinguished: (1) you ng adults with partner and child, (2) young adults with partner, and (3) yo ung singles. These groups differed significantly in their social relationsh ip patterns within and outside of the family as well as with respect to the ir personality profiles. The two groups of respondents with partner relatio nships reported lower levels of neuroticism and shyness, but higher scores in extraversion, conscientiousness, and general self-esteem In contrast, si ngles scored high in neuroticism and shyness, but low in extraversion, cons cientiousness and general self-esteem. Singles without partner experience w ere highest in shyness and lowest in extraversion. It was concluded that in modern individualized societies the personality plays an important role in the structure of life patterns and social relationships.