High "need for control" as a psychological risk in women suffering from ischemic stroke: a controlled retrospective exploratory study.
The assumption is tested that women scoring high on dimensions of coping pattern termed "need for control," which underlies several of the components of Type A behavior, are at increased risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Consecutively admitted patients to medical wards, nineteen with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, were compared with nineteen patients with non-arteriovascular disease and nineteen healthy females doing volunteer hospital work. "Need for control" was assessed by a psychometric test based on forty-five dichotomous items defining six unidimensional scales. The Bortner Type A behavior was filled out by the subjects and by their next of kin for an impression of the subject. In ANOVA the dimensions "work commitment, hard driving" (F = 6.87, p less than .002), "perfectionism, need for making plans" (F = 6.26, p less than .003), and "inability to withdraw from work obligations" (F = 3.89, p less than .02) differentiated the three groups in the expected direction. Duncan multiple range test resulted in very similar, significant findings, as did Bortner measures, filled out by a next of kin (F = 4.63, p less than .01). In all analyses, effects of age, current smoking, and coronary artery disease (CAD) were controlled. Our results suggest that high "need for control" defines a psychological risk in women suffering from ischemic stroke. Prospective studies should be undertaken. If they confirm our results, interventions aimed at modifying the "need for control" should be planned.
Goetz
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S
Medical Division Lory, Inselspital Berne, Switzerland.
Adler
R H
RH
Weber
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R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010556:Personality Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014434:Type A Personality