Self-report measurement of type A behavior: toward refinement and improved prediction

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Self-report measures of Type A personality are widely used in research.
• Evidence suggests these measures are poor predictors of coronary heart disease.
• This limited predictive power may stem from not isolating stress-related Type A characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify stress-related items within the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS).
• To examine the relationship between these stress-relevant Type A items and actual stress.
• To explore gender differences in the personality correlates of stress-relevant Type A traits.

Main Methods:

• Factor analysis of Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) items and stress symptoms in college students.
• Correlation analyses between identified stress-relevant JAS items and self-reported stress.
• Examination of personality correlates of stress-relevant Type A scores, with attention to gender differences.

Main Results:

• A single stress-related factor emerged from the JAS, comprising 12 items related to being hard-driving, time-urgent, and hostile/irritated.
• Significant positive correlations were found between these stress-relevant JAS items and stress levels in both male and female students.
• Distinct gender patterns were observed in the broader personality correlates of stress-relevant Type A scores.

Conclusions:

• A specific subset of Type A characteristics, captured by 12 JAS items, is demonstrably linked to stress.
• These stress-relevant Type A traits show consistent correlations with stress, suggesting improved predictive utility.
• Gender plays a significant role in the relationship between broader personality traits and stress-relevant Type A characteristics.