Type A behavior pattern and emotion expression in younger and older adults

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Emotion Research

Background:

• Type A behavior pattern linked to cardiovascular health.
• Understanding emotional expression is crucial in personality and health research.
• Age and gender influence emotional responses and expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Type A behavior patterns in relation to personality traits like anger and aggression.
• To examine age and gender differences in emotional expressiveness and anger management.
• To explore the role of emotion socialization in Type A individuals' anger expression.

Main Methods:

• Assessed 160 participants (80 younger, 80 older) for Type A/B behavior using the Structured Interview (SI).
• Administered personality tests measuring anxiety, depression, anger, aggression, hostility, and anger-in/anger-out.
• Coded facial expressions of emotion from videotapes of an emotion induction procedure and the SI.

Main Results:

• Type A individuals showed higher anger and aggression than Type B, with evidence of anger inhibition and shame.
• Older adults were generally more emotionally expressive than younger adults across various emotions.
• Women, especially Type A women, displayed more conflict regarding anger expression compared to men.

Conclusions:

• Type A behavior is associated with specific anger and aggression profiles, influenced by socialization.
• Age significantly impacts emotional expressiveness, with older individuals being more expressive.
• Gender, particularly within the Type A group, plays a role in the complexity of anger expression and conflict.