VULNERABILITY TO STRESS AS A FUNCTION OF AGE, SEX, LOCUS OF CONTROL, HARDINESS AND TYPE A PERSONALITY

Abstract

Vulnerability to stress as a function of age, sex, health locus of control, hardiness and Type A behavior was examined by multiple regression analysis of scores from scales completed by 283 university students. Only age and hardiness contributed significantly but minimally to variance in vulnerability. Young and hardy students had better health habits than older or less hardy ones. The means and standard deviations of scores on the vulnerability and personality type scales were very low. Scales appropriate for the New Zealand population need to be developed and standardized to provide reliable measures of personal variables associated with stress.