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Emotional and temperamental correlates of Type A in children and adolescents

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Abstract

Emotional and behavioral correlates of Type A behavior in children and adolescents were examined in 184 fifth-, seventh-, and ninth-grade students, classified as high or low Type A, using self-report, teacher ratings (fifth grade only), and structured interview procedures. Measures included the Hunter-Wolf A-B Rating Scale, Behavioral Symptoms of Stress Inventory, Dimensions of Temperament Survey, Desire for Control Scale, Eysenck Personality Inventory, and the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist. High Type A children reported significantly more stressed-related behaviors, higher levels of depression, anger, anxiety, and cognitive disorganization, and greater reactivity than Low Type A. No differences were found on measures of temperament (activity level, attention span, adaptibility, and rhythmicity), desire for control, or introversion-extroversion. Females, in general, reported significantly more behavioral stress symptoms. However, no other gender differences were found. Possible reasons for reported differences between Type A children and adults are discussed, along with gender differences in behavioral symptoms. Need for multiple measures of Type A across situation is considered along with need for controlled longitudinal studies of Type A components and the influence of contexts.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University California Santa Cruz, California

    Lorchen Heft (Psychologist)

  2. Academic Affairs, Stanford University, Stanford, California

    Carl E. Thoresen (Associate Dean)

  3. San Jose, California

    Kathleen Kirmil-Gray (Psychologist)

  4. University Washington, USA

    Sue A. Wiedenfeld (Post-doctoraI fellow)

  5. Palo Alto, California

    Jean R. Eagleston (Psychologist) & Paul Bracke

  6. Behavioral Medicine Clinic, Stanford University, Stanford, California

    Bruce Arnow (Director)

Authors
  1. Lorchen Heft
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  2. Carl E. Thoresen
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  3. Kathleen Kirmil-Gray
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  4. Sue A. Wiedenfeld
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  5. Jean R. Eagleston
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  6. Paul Bracke
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  7. Bruce Arnow
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Additional information

Received Ph.D. from Stanford. Research interests: Adolescent problems, stress.

Received Ph.D. from Stanford. Research interests: Type A, anger/hostility; AIDS prevention.

Received Ph.D. from Stanford. Research interests: child & family problems, stress disorders.

Received Ph.D. from Stanford. Research interests: psychoneuroimmunology.

Received Ph.D. from Stanford. Research interests: pain disorders, stress.

Received Ph.D. from Stanford.

Received Ph.D. from Stanford. Research interests: anxiety and phobic disorders.

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Heft, L., Thoresen, C.E., Kirmil-Gray, K. et al. Emotional and temperamental correlates of Type A in children and adolescents. J Youth Adolescence 17, 461–475 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537825

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537825

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