Cultural context of type A behavior and risk for CHD: a study of Japanese American males

A total of 2437 Japanese American men living in Hawaii were given the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) and classified as either type A or type B. Only 18% of the sample scored in the type A direction, a much lower percentage than usually found among white American males. There was a slightly higher prevalence of CHD among type A Japanese Americans than among their type B counterparts (5.7% vs. 3.6%, respectively). A factor analysis of JAS data produced three new factors for this population: HS (hard-driving and impatient), JH (ability to function successfully in job setting), and HW (hard-working). Those men who were more Westernized had a higher prevalence of CHD, expecially if they were also type A, in terms of both geographical mobility and intergenerational change. The results are discussed in light of the dual role of sociocultural influences and behavioral characteristics (type A/B) which predispose an individual to CHD.