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Cognitive Therapy, Stress Management Training, and the Type A behavior pattern

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Abstract

The effectiveness of two treatments for reducing stress associated with the Type A behavior pattern was evaluated. One treatment, Stress Management Training, was a replication of a previously reported treatment. The Cognitive Therapy treatment, based on the principles of rational-emotive therapy, was designed specifically for this study. Both treatment groups were compared with a waiting list control group on several self-report and physiological measures. For subjects who initially had the highest degree of Type A characteristics, Cognitive Therapy was more effective than Stress Management Training or no treatment in reducing self-perceived levels of Type A behavior. Both treatments reduced self-reported anxiety levels, and were more effective than no treatment. Neither treatment reduced subjects' cholesterol levels or blood pressure.

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Reference Notes

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  • Suinn, R. M.Anxiety management training. Treatment package, two cassette tapes and therapist instructions, 1972. (Available from Rocky Mountain Behavioral Sciences Institute, P.O. Box 1066, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80522)

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Jenni, M.A., Wollersheim, J.P. Cognitive Therapy, Stress Management Training, and the Type A behavior pattern. Cogn Ther Res 3, 61–73 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01172720

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