title: Reasons for the trend toward null findings in research on Type A behavior.
abstract: The findings of many studies conducted before 1978 suggest that Type A behavior (TAB) contributes to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). In contrast, many recent studies have found no association between these variables. Through meta-analysis, several reasons for null findings are identified. First, a type of range restriction bias, disease-based spectrum (DBS) bias, produced many null findings. A study is vulnerable to DBS bias when researchers select only high-risk or diseased Ss for study. Second, self-report measures of TAB were often associated with null findings. Finally, null results were found for all studies that used fatal myocardial infarction as a disease criterion. In addition to identifying the reasons for null findings, this research suggests that TAB, as assessed by the structured interview, is associated with CHD. More Type As (70%) were found in diseased populations of middle-aged men than in healthy populations of middle-aged men (46%).
authors.affiliation: Loyola University of Chicago.
authors.forename: T Q
authors.initials: TQ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tindale
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Posavac
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Dugoni
mesh_terms: D003324:Coronary Artery Disease; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014434:Type A Personality