Behavior patterns and personality characteristics related to prevalence rates of coronary heart disease in American monks

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the degree to which groups which differ in dietary patterns might also differ in certain personality and behavioral characteristics theoretically related to CHD. Four groups were studied: Benedictine Priests; Benedictine Brothers; Trappist Priests; and Trappist Brothers. The Benedictine monks are omnivorous, while Trappists are lacto-vegetarian. Information was obtained by Rosenman-Friedman interviews, superior and peer ratings of the Type-A pattern, a sociological inventory, and a personality inventory. Benedictine Priests had the highest rate of myocardial infarction. Benedictine Priests manifested more of the Rosenman-Friedman Type-A behavior pattern than the Benedictine Brothers, but Trappist Priests were also high on the Type-A pattern. Discriminant function analysis showed that the four groups of monks could be reliably discriminated by variables related to a Type-A factor and a Responsibility factor. Benedictine Priests were highest on both factors. On the Cattell 16-PF test the Benedictine Priests were significantly different from all other monks on 9 of 12 first-order factors and 2 second-order factors postulated to be related to CHD. The monks as a group were described by 16-PF scores as “anxious introverts” relative to a standard population. Relative to the rest of the monks the Benedictine Priests were described by the 16-PF as “sensitive extroverts”. The results are in keeping with the general theory that some intrapersonal conflict between emotional and rational elements may be important in the etiology of CHD.