Correlates of the multidimensional components of type a behaviour

Abstract

The aim of the present thesis was to develop and test a multidimensional model of the components of Type A behaviour. A review of the literature revealed that the definition of Type A behaviour consisted of five conceptual components, namely achievement striving, impatience-irritability, anger, hostility, and competitiveness. However, despite the identification of five conceptual components, no attempt has been made to examine a multidimensional model of Type A behaviour in association with health and work related outcomes. Conclusions are that information is lost when Type A behaviour is conceptualised and operationalised as a global construct. As a result, recent investigators have chosen a multifaceted conceptualisation of Type A behaviour. This strategy originate through the suggestion that there may be positive and negative components of Type A behaviour, that need to be examined independently. The adoption of a multifaceted conceptualisation has assisted in providing more consistent results than previous global Type A findings.