Age- and cohort-related variance of type-A behavior over 24 years: the Young Finns Study.
BACKGROUND
Over the recent decades, the incidence of cardiovascular and heart diseases has decreased while levels of type-A behavior, i.e., a potential risk factor, appear to have increased. However, the long-term developmental patterns of type-A behavior is poorly understood. Both age- and cohort-related changes may be involved in these developments.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine an age- and cohort-related changes of Hunter-Wolf type-A behavior from adolescence to adulthood.


METHODS
Type-A behavior and its components (aggressiveness, leadership, hard driving, and eagerness energy) were assessed using the Hunter-Wolf A-B rating scale at five time points (1983, 1986, 1989, 2001, and 2007) in a population-based sample consisting of six birth cohorts born between 1962 and 1977 (n = 3,341, a total of 10,506 person observations). Development of type-A behavior and its components was examined with cohort-sequential multilevel modeling.


RESULTS
Aggressiveness decreased with age, eagerness energy, hard driving, and global type-A behavior increased, and leadership exhibited no mean level changes. Younger cohorts had higher aggressiveness, lower hard driving, and global type-A behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that in order to understand the health consequences of type-A behavior, both life span and societal changes should be considered.
Taina
T
Hintsa
Markus
M
Jokela
Laura
L
Pulkki-Råback
Liisa
L
Keltikangas-Järvinen
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D014434:Type A Personality