Why the study?
Does a high social challenge task elicit a pressor response associated with Type A behaviour compared to a low social challenge task in asymptomatic middle-aged men?
Does a high social challenge task elicit a pressor response associated with Type A behaviour compared to a low social challenge task in asymptomatic middle-aged men?
The association between Type A behavior and pressor response is dependent on the level of social challenge in the assessment task, explaining inconsistencies in previous studies.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Social challenge level may reconcile inconsistent Type A–pressor findings; hypothesis-generating for future reactivity protocols and should not yet change practice.
The association of pressor response with type A behaviour was investigated to identify factors underlying the inconsistent results of previous studies. Three aspects of procedure were considered comprising sample, type A measurement and type of challenge. A proper random sample of 95 men asymptomatic for ischaemic heart disease was assessed for type A behaviour using the Structured Interview, Jenkins Activity Survey, Framingham and Bortner scales. Pressor response from rest was assessed during a high social challenge task (the Structured Interview) and a low social challenge task (a difficult vigilance task). Pressor response was associated with type A behaviour only during the high social challenge task irrespective of method of type A assessment. It is concluded that the critical factor underlying inconsistent findings in this area is not lack of relationship or invalid type A measurement but the use of invalid tasks.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Gallacher et al. (1992) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: