The Only Child: Is There Only One Kind of Only?

This paper describes a study that examined the possibility that there is more than one category of only children. The study attempted to resolve inconsistencies in previous research outcomes with only children. The study involved data from female only children who were assessed longitudinally from early adolescence to late middle age on the 73-item California Q-sort of Personality Characteristics of only children. Factor analyses provided no evidence for a single homogeneous category. It was concluded that the only child category, although typically treated as homogeneous, is, in fact, heterogeneous. Three distinct types of female only children emerged: (1) normal, well-adjusted; (2) impulsive, acting out; and (3) first-bornish. It was shown that these types remain consistent over the life span from junior high school to late middle age. Each of the types is discussed in relation to previous research. A table showing results of the inverse factor analyses and a list of 23 references are appended. (GLR)