An Assessment of the Relationship between the Coronary-Prone (Type A) Behavior Pattern, Stress, and Coronary Heart Disease.

摘要

This cross-sectional study examines the relationships between the coronary-prone (Tpe A) behavior pattern, stress, and coronary heart disease (CHD). Past research indicates that Type A behavior is related to both CHD and stress. Behavioral and organizational data were obtained from 438 respondents; physiological data were obtained from 368 respondents. The physiological data included cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDL), and cortisol. Cholesterol, HDL, and the ratio of cholesterol divided by HDL (ratio) were used as indicators of CHD. Cortisol was used as the indicator of felt stress. Factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were employed. Analyses supported using ratio, cholesterol, and HDL as indicators of CHD; cortisol was not representative of felt stress. The results indicate that Type A behavior and its job involvement dimension are only weakly and positively related to CHD. The speed and impatience dimension demonstrated a stronger, positive relationship with CHD. The hard driving and competitive dimension was inversely related to CHD, with the competitive component controlling the direction of the relationship.