Marital relationships and Type A-B Behavior assessed using the structured interview, Jenkins Activity Survey, and Framingham Type A Scale

Abstract

Associations between spouses' Type A/Type B Behavior and marital distress, communication, and desired relationship changes were investigated in a sample of 42 healthy Caucasian couples aged 39 to 60 years. Consistency of relationships between marital distress and behavior type (BT) across different BT measurement techniques was also evaluated. BT was measured using the Structured Interview (SI), the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS), and the Framingham Type A Scale (FTAS). Type A behavior in women was associated with increased marital distress and communication difficulties, as reported by both men and women. Participants also desired greater relationship changes when women were Type A. Findings varied greatly across BT measures. The strongest effect occurred for the FTAS, followed by the JAS. No significant effects were found for SI-assessed BT. Results reflect the multifaceted nature of the Type A construct and may reflect gender role differences within marital relationships.