The development of intellect in adolescents and emerging adults: A longitudinal study of environmental influences and underlying processes

Abstract

A large number of studies have been conducted on the structure of Intellect, which is one of the facets of Openness/Intellect. However, far less is known about the development of Intellect and the impact of external influences such as critical life events. In the present study, we investigated socialization and selection effects of Intellect in relation to the subjective perception of life events and self-efficacy. In a large German longitudinal sample of adolescents and emerging adults ( N = 1477), we used mixed linear models to assess mean-level changes and moderating effects across three measurement occasions. We found significant change in Intellect but no evidence of the influence of experiencing a critical life event. Self-efficacy predicted mean levels and change over time in Intellect yet did not interact with perceptions of life events. Further research ideas are discussed.