Type A behavior as a general risk factor for physical disorder.
A behavior pattern characterized by excessive competitiveness, impatience, hostility, and time urgency, known as Type A, has typically been investigated as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The present paper evaluates the Type A pattern as a general risk factor for a wide variety of physical disorders. Research on Type A as a moderator of the effects of life stress on health is also reviewed. When Type A or physical health is measured with objective indicators, Type A does not emerge as a general risk factor for illness, with the following exceptions: Type A's are more likely to have accidents, to die from accidents or violence, and to incur cerebrovascular and peripheral atherosclerosis. In contrast, research relying on self-report measures of Type A and symptomatology find a consistent link between Type A behavior and a variety of minor illness and symptoms. There is little support for the notion that Type A is a potentiator of the effects of life events stress.
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004194:Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014434:Type A Personality