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Type A behavior as a general risk factor for physical disorder

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Abstract

A behavior pattern characterized by excessive competitiveness, impatience, hostility, and time urgency, known as Type A, has typically been investigated as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The present paper evaluates the Type A pattern as a general risk factorfor a wide variety of physical disorders. Research on Type A as a moderator of the effects of life stress on health is also reviewed. When Type A or physical health is measured with objective indicators, Type A does not emerge as a general risk factor for illness, with the following exceptions: Type A's are more likely to have accidents, to die from accidents or violence, and to incur cerebrovascular and peripheral atherosclerosis. In contrast, research relying on self-report measures of Type A and symptomatology find a consistent link between Type A behavior and a variety of minor illness and symptoms. There is little support for the notion that Type A is a potentiator of the effects of life events stress.

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  1. Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, 12222, Albany, New York

    Jerry Suls & Glenn S. Sanders

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Suls, J., Sanders, G.S. Type A behavior as a general risk factor for physical disorder. J Behav Med 11, 201–226 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844428

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