Type A behavior pattern, sex role orientation, and psychological adjustment.

Abstract

It was argued that the Type A "coronary-prone" behavior pattern is adaptive within the context of a highly masculine sex role orientation, but that it interferes with successful functioning among persons for whom such an orientation is lacking. This interference was expected to predominate in areas of behavior that are interpersonal in nature. Based on this reasoning, it was predicted that the combination of a Type A behavioral style and a sex role orientation low in masculinity would be associated with low social self-esteem, high social anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, because our culture expects women to be more socially adept than men, it was expected that these tendencies toward maladjustment would be more pronounced among women than men. A study of 213 college students yielded results that were consistent with these predictions.