Exploration of the Type A behavior pattern in chronic headache sufferers.

Abstract

Recently, Investigations have examined the possible link between the Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP) and chronic headache. Several studies have Indicated a significant relation between Type A, as measured by the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS), and headache frequency. As well, several researchers have noted the similarities In the descriptions of the Type A Individual and those characteristics of the "migraine personality." To date, no prospective study has examined whether that set of characteristics ascribed to mlgraineurs Is in fact the TABP. The second focus of this investigation was to provide a comprehensive description of the psychological functioning of Type A and B headache sufferers across several domains: psychopathology, social functioning, health beliefs and behaviors, and daily stress monitoring. Sixty chronic headache sufferers (30 tension. 30 migraine) volunteered as subjects for this investigation. Participants provided full headache histories and were diagnosed by both a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology and a neurologist according to Ad Hoc Committee criteria. All participants kept headache diaries for eight weeks and V

Disentangling the relationship between the achievement striving and impatience—irritability dimensions of type A behavior, performance and health

“…Fourth, future research should assess whether the pattern of findings obtained in this and other studies (Helmreich et al, 1988;Spence et al, 1987Spence et al, , 1989 generalizes beyond university students and faculty to the work performance and health of individuals in organizations ( e g Bluen et al, 1990). Fifth, even though previous research shows that type A behavior predicts headaches (Rappaport et al, 1988) and sleep disorders (Woods and Burns, 1982), there are also data showing that global type A behavior is associated with respiratory infections (Stout and Bloom, 1982). Future research must now investigate which aspects of health are associated with 11, and why.…”

“…For example, although Booth-Kewley and Friedman's (1987) meta-analysis demonstrated significant links between type A behavior and both coronary heart disease and other physical symptoms, the magnitude of these relationships was less than impressive from a predictive standpoint. Similarly, modest though significant relationships between type A behavior and specific physiological problems such as gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, sleep disorders and chest pains (Woods and Burns, 1984), upper respiratory infections (Stout and Bloom, 1982) and headaches and migraines (Rappaport, McAnulty and Brantley, 1988) have been reported. With regard to the prediction of performance, type As' desire to achieve quantitatively more and more in less and less time is believed by some to result in higher levels of performance and greater career success (Matthews, 1982).…”

Individual contributory factors in teacher stress: The role of achievement striving and occupational commitment

“…Other research has highlighted how certain factors intrinsic to the teaching profession can facilitate high levels of stress. For example, heavy workloads and long working hours (Travers & Cooper, 1997), overload of competing roles (Pithers & Soden, 1998), inconsistent workloads over the academic year (Kinnunen & Leskinen, 1989), the need for classroom management (Lewis, 1999; Morton, Vesco, Williams, & Awender, 1997), and evaluation apprehension (Capel, 1997; Morton et al , 1997).…”

Perfectionists' Appraisal of Daily Hassles and Chronic Headache

“…7,9 Over the last decade, researchers in the area of chronic headache have begun to examine dispositional characteristics that may make an individual more vulnerable to headaches. Despite the many facets of personality that have been examined in headache sufferers, such as the Type A personality 10,11 and neuroticism, 12 perfectionism has received little attention. The perfectionism construct has largely been viewed as a negative attribute rendering individuals with this trait vulnerable to a host of psychological disturbances, 13,14 such as depression, 15 anxiety, 16 and eating pathology.…”