Type A coronary-prone behavior and stress in senior female managers and administrators.

Abstract

This article describes a study of relationships between Type A coronary-prone behavior patterns, as measured by the Bortner and Rosenman scale, and stress levels, coping ability and psychological stress-related symptoms of a group of 148 senior female managers and administrators. The results indicate that the majority of the sample were categorized as Type A individuals, and that Type A behavior was related to age. A relationship was found between Type A behavior and subjects perceiving themselves as having higher stress levels compared to the female and male peers with whom they worked. Type A individuals perceived that their "ability to cope with stress" was worse compared to that of their female peers and female superiors, but saw themselves as better "copers" compared to their female subordinates. Type A individuals did not see themselves as a source of stress to their subordinates. A relationship was also found between Type A behavior and symptoms of anxiety, frustration and irritation. Results are compared to those of previous relevant research, and the implications of the findings are discussed.