Comparison of personality traits of only and sibling school children in Beijing.

The number of only children in China has increased rapidly since the late 1970s, when the Chinese government advocated the "one-child-per-family" policy. This increase has caused much public concern about the healthy growth of the young generation. In this study the behavioral traits of Chinese, urban, only children were investigated. The participants were 444 children with siblings and 473 only children from Grades 1, 3, and 5 in Beijing primary schools. An inventory consisting of 27 items covering three behavioral traits was developed. The children were rated on the inventory by the principal teacher of the class. Factor analysis revealed three main factors: achievement motivation, interpersonal skills, and attitude toward manual labor. The only children exceeded the sibling children on achievement motivation. No differences were found between only children and sibling children on interpersonal skills and attitude toward manual labor. Gender differences were evident; girls consistently received higher ratings on achievement motivation and interpersonal skills. The possible underlying reasons for these differences are discussed.