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Type A behaviour in pre-school children: interrater reliability, stability over six months and subcomponents
U Lundberg1, O Westermark, B Rasch
1Department of Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
This study found that boys exhibit higher Type A behaviors than girls in preschool children. Speech characteristics also correlated with Type A behaviors, validating a new measurement scale.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Type A behavior, characterized by impatience and competitiveness, is a recognized personality trait.
- Previous research has primarily focused on adult populations, with limited data on its manifestation in young children.
- Understanding early behavioral patterns is crucial for identifying potential long-term health and social implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt and validate a reliable instrument for measuring Type A behavior in preschool-aged children.
- To investigate gender differences in Type A behavior scores among young children.
- To explore the relationship between speech and voice characteristics and Type A behavior in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A Swedish version of Matthews' Youth Test for Health (MYTH) was administered to 495 children (ages 3-7).
- Independent ratings by two play group leaders were used, with measurements repeated after a six-month interval to assess reliability.
- Factor analysis identified impatience and competitiveness as key components of Type A behavior, and speech/voice characteristics were also recorded.
Main Results:
- The adapted MYTH scale demonstrated good interrater reliability (0.76) and test-retest stability (correlations of 0.60-0.75).
- Boys consistently scored significantly higher than girls on total Type A behavior and its subscales (impatience, competitiveness).
- Speech and voice characteristics showed significant correlations with Type A scores, with boys exhibiting higher scores.
Conclusions:
- The Swedish version of the MYTH scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing Type A or Type A-like behaviors in preschool children.
- Significant gender differences in Type A behavior are evident from an early age.
- The findings support the cross-cultural applicability of Type A behavior constructs and highlight the link between behavioral traits and vocal patterns in children.