Differences in anger, hostility, and interpersonal aggressiveness in Type A and Type B adolescents

This study investigated self-reported anger, hostility, interpersonal aggressiveness, and self-confidence in 19 Type A and 11 Type B adolescent boys ages 15 and 16. It was hypothesized that Type As would report greater trait anger and aggressiveness, less confidence in interpersonal relating, and would endorse a pattern of expression of anger and aggressiveness that would differ from Type Bs. No significant differences were found between Type As and Type Bs on measures of global anger and aggressiveness, and no significant relationship between interpersonal hostility and self-confidence was demonstrated. Type As, however, were found to be more likely than Type Bs to report that they lose their temper and that they act in physically aggressive, verbally aggressive, and passive aggressive ways. Results were discussed in terms of the similarity of this pattern in Type A adolescent boys to that described for adult Type A men.