Components of Type A, hostility, and anger-in: relationship to angiographic findings

Psychosom Med. 1985 May-Jun;47(3):219-33. doi: 10.1097/00006842-198505000-00001.

Abstract

Previous research has linked the Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern to angiographically documented severity of coronary atherosclerosis (CAD). The present study sought through component scoring of the Type A Structured Interview (SI) to determine what elements of the multidimensional Type A pattern are related to coronary disease severity in a selected group of patients with minimal or severe CAD. Multivariate analyses controlling for the major risk factors showed no relationship between global Type A and extent of disease. Of all attributes measured, only Potential for Hostility and Anger-In were significantly and positively associated with the disease severity, including angina symptoms and number of myocardial infarctions. Further analysis revealed that Potential for Hostility and Anger-In were interactive in their association, such that Potential for Hostility was associated with disease endpoints only for patients who were high on the Anger-In dimension. These findings support previous research in suggesting that anger and hostility may be the critical aspects of the Type A pattern in predisposing individuals to risk of CAD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anger*
  • Angina Pectoris / psychology
  • Coronary Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Disease / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hostility*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / psychology
  • Radiography
  • Regression Analysis
  • Risk
  • Type A Personality*