Type A behaviour, problem‐solving style and health in male and female managers

Abstract

The relationship between Type A behaviour (TAB), problem‐solving style, and health was investigated in a sample of 79 middle managers (40 males and 39 females), using a questionnaire methodology. Health was divided into psychological well‐being, self‐rated physical healthiness, self‐rated frequency of illness and self‐rated health behaviour. Problem‐solving style was treated as a multidimensional construct and was measured in terms of six factors, helplessness, control, confidence, creativity, approach, and avoidance styles. Type As reported significantly more illness than Type Bs. In addition, a highly significant sex by TAB interaction was found on problem‐solving confidence and problem‐solving helplessness indicating that Type A females and Type B males were the more confident problem solvers and Type A females and Type B males felt less helpless in problem situations. On psychological well‐being, self‐rated healthiness and self‐rated health behaviour there were no differences between Type As and Type Bs. Multiple regression analysis showed that scores on TAB only accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in self‐rated frequency of illness. Problem‐solving style accounted for a significant proportion of the variance on all health measures.