September 1, 1984
View Full PaperBehavioral Assessment of the Type A Behavior Pattern
Key Result
Speed of speech, volume of speech, number of interruptions, and potential for hostility successfully discriminated Type A from Type B behavior patterns in middle-aged men over a 4-month interval.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=60)
Structured PICO
Which specific behavioral subcomponents reliably distinguish Type A from Type B behavior patterns over time in middle-aged men?
P
Population
60 middle-aged men assessed for behavioral subcomponents of the Type A behavior pattern over a four-month interval.
E
Exposure
Structured interview (SI) for behavioral assessment
C
Comparator
Type B behavior pattern
O
Outcome
Interrater reliability, stability over 4 months, and ability to discriminate Type A from Type B behavior patterns of various behavioral subcomponents
Specific behavioral components—speed and volume of speech, interruptions, and potential for hostility—reliably discriminate Type A from Type B behavior patterns over time, which may help identify individuals at increased risk for premature coronary disease.
Abstract
The present study attempted to assess systematically a set of behavioral subcomponents associated with the Type A behavior pattern. Sixty middle-aged men underwent the structured interview (SI) and a repeated version of the SI after a four-month interval. A high degree of interrater reliability was established for a number of behavioral components including speed and volume of speech, motoric activity, expiratory sighs, response latency, interruptions, unevenness of speech, plosive words, and potential for hostility. In general, these behaviors were stable over the four-month interval, although they did not all distinguish Type As from Type Bs. Only four behaviors successfully discriminated Type As and Bs at both interview sessions: speed of speech, volume of speech, number of interruptions, and potential for hostility. The results are discussed in terms of how these behavioral subcomponents may contribute to increased risk of premature coronary disease.