Control, type A behavior and cardiovascular responsivity in adult women employed as clerical workers

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among control, Type A behavior and cardiovascular responsivity in female clerical workers. Control was examined by assessing locus of control and by employing a learned helplessness paradigm. Helplessness was varied by three treatment conditions on a concept identification task: (1) a helplessness condition where noncontingent feedback was provided, (2) a moderate helplessness condition, and (3) a no helplessness (no feedback) condition. The effects of these treatments on performance were examined by measuring trials to criterion on a subsequent anagram task. Heart rate and blood pressure were monitored during rest periods and tasks. Both Types A and B women exhibited learned helplessness. Type As who experienced the helplessness treatment responded with greater increases in systolic blood pressure and greater decreases in heart rate variability on the anagram task. During the helplessness task itself, Type A women with an external locus of control were the most reactive group as indexed by heart rate and heart rate variability. For those women experiencing moderate helplessness, external locus of control Type As had higher systolic blood pressure levels on both tasks. These results suggest that task-induced lack of control or external locus of control is associated with increased cardiovascular reactivity in Type A women.