Differential Correlates of Components of Type a Behaviour

Abstract

Although early research linked Type A behaviour to coronary disease, recent findings have been equivocal. The inconsistencies may be attributable, to the traditional conceptualization of Type A as a unidimensional construct. Spence, Helmreich and Pred (1987) identified two Type A components, Achievement Strivings (AS) and Impatience-Irritability (II), and differentially related these to academic results and health problems, respectively. The present study extends the AS/II dichotomy to encompass a more comprehensive model of Type A components, including AS, II, anger, hostility and competitiveness. These components were differentially related to health problems, depression and academic results in a sample of 236 South African first-year psychology students. Specifically, AS was positively related to performance, negatively related to depression, and not related to ill health. II and anger predicted ill health, while anger was related to depression. The multivariate model of Type A components was thus partially supported. Results are discussed in terms of the literature.