Type A behavior and marital interaction: hostile-dominant responses during conflict.
Previous research has indicated that the risk conferred by men's Type A versus B behavior depends, in part, on the personality characteristics of their spouses. In the present study of 60 married couples, we found that couples consisting of two Structured Interview-defined Type A's showed a larger increase in hostile/dominant behavior during discussions of marital conflicts than did couples consisting of two Type B's or a Type A husband and a Type B wife. Couples consisting of a Type B husband and a Type A wife displayed an intermediate level of hostile dominance. These results are consistent with previous speculations about interpersonal dynamics in Type A behavior and interaction patterns which might underlie spouse effects on Type A behavior and coronary risk.
Sanders
J D
JD
Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Smith
T W
TW
Alexander
J F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D005260:Female; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010552:Personality Assessment; D014434:Type A Personality