Type A behaviour and self‐reports of coping preferences

Three hundred male subjects (age range 25-40) completed both the Dutch version of the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) and a revised version of the Ways of Coping Checklist (WCC). Principal component analysis on the WCC yielded six factors with eigenvalues above 2.0: 1'wishful thinking/escape'; 2 'acceptance'; 3 'problem-focused/help-seeking'; 4 'withholding'; 5 'self-blame'; and 6 'growth'. Factor scores for each factor were averaged and compared between Type As and Type Bs. Type A scores were lower on 'acceptance', but higher on 'problem-focused/help-seeking' and 'self-blame'. These results favour the conclusion that Type As, when confronted with stressful situations, are more prone to active, problem-focused behaviour, do not acquiesce in the problems, and see themselves, rather than the environment, as the cause of their problems.