Type a behavior pattern in health education

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to clarify the relationship between type A behavior pattern and life styles on 669 male and 60 female workers belonging to a financing company. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on type A behavior pattern (including 11 questions), medical parameters and recent well-being. Principal component analysis was made to select the three major components concerning type A behavior pattern. The first component score represented overall irritability, the second score relaxation, and the third score etiology of irritability. After these component scores were adjusted to age, the following findings were observed. Smoking habits and heavy alcohol intake showed a significant correlation with a high score in the first principal component. General feeling during the past month and fatigability were related to the first and second principal component scores, respectively. Discouragement, bad arousal, little worth of living and apathy were negatively related to the second principal component score. Total cholesterol showed a positive correlation with the second principal component score (r=0.140, in males and obesity index had a positive correlation with the second component score (r=0.259, in females. Other medical parameters including high density lipoprotein, systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not demonstrate any significant correlation with principal component scores. It is important that recognition of type A behavior pattern may be applied to health education programs. © 1987, Japan Society for Occupational Health. All rights reserved.