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

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Adolescent Development

Background:

• The Type A behavior pattern (TABP) is associated with cardiovascular disease and distinct psychological traits.
• Research on TABP in adolescents is less extensive than in adults, particularly regarding anger and aggression expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in self-reported anger, hostility, interpersonal aggressiveness, and self-confidence between Type A and Type B adolescent boys.
• To examine specific patterns of anger and aggressiveness expression in relation to the Type A/B classification.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 19 Type A and 11 Type B adolescent boys (ages 15-16).
• Utilized self-report measures to assess anger, hostility, aggressiveness, and self-confidence.
• Hypothesized greater anger, aggressiveness, and lower interpersonal confidence in Type A individuals.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in global anger and aggressiveness between Type A and Type B boys.
• No significant relationship was observed between interpersonal hostility and self-confidence.
• Type A boys were significantly more likely to report losing their temper and engaging in physical, verbal, and passive-aggressive behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent Type A boys exhibit specific patterns of anger expression and aggression, mirroring findings in adult Type A men.
• While global measures may not differentiate, the *manner* of anger expression is a key characteristic distinguishing Type A adolescents.
• These findings highlight the importance of examining specific behavioral patterns beyond general trait scores in adolescent Type A behavior.