Type A Behavior Pattern and Coronary Heart Disease: Philip Morris’s “Crown Jewel”

Abstract

The type A behavior pattern (TABP) was described in the 1950s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, who argued that TABP was an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. This theory was supported by positive findings from the Western Collaborative Group Study and the Framingham Study. We analyzed tobacco industry documents to show that the tobacco industry was a major funder of TABP research, with selected results used to counter concerns regarding tobacco and health. Our findings also help explain inconsistencies in the findings of epidemiological studies of TABP, in particular the phenomenon of initially promising results followed by negative findings. Our analysis suggests that these "decline effects" are partly explained by tobacco industry involvement in TABP research.

The Big Five, Type A Personality, and Psychological Well-Being

“…This result, that Type A variance did not relate to or add to the Big Five personality variables in predicting psychological wellbeing was unexpected, given that several studies had indicated potential links. For example, Caplan and Jones (1975) had linked Type A to depression and anxiety and several more recent studies had suggested similar links to stress in clinical and organisational contexts (e.g., Janjhua, 2012;Milicic et al, 2016;Petticrew et al, 2012). The evidence has indicated that Type A personality has links with negative aspects of wellbeing; our study suggests that there are no similar links with positive aspects of wellbeing, as measured by the total score on the Psychological Wellbeing scale.…”

“…There are other personality factors of importance in different contexts, such as Type A personality, perfectionism, honesty, and sensation seeking. Our current study examined whether Type A variance added to the Big Five variables in predicting psychological wellbeing because Type A personality (including its reverse in terms of low scores, Type B) has been of considerable interest in the medical, business, and professional worlds This has been noted mainly in the impacts of Type A personality on stress in the workplace and associated ill-health (e.g., Caplan & Jones, 1975;Evan & Palsane, 1987;Iwata, Suzuki, Saito, & Abe, 1992;Janjhua, 2012;Milicic et al, 2016;Petticrew, Lee, & McKee, 2012). Would a measure of Type A personality add to the Big Five measures in predicting well-being?…”

“…In the last two decades, Type A and its opposite pole of Type B personality behavioral patterns have been the subject of interest by business, medical and psychology researchers alike (e.g., Caplan & Jones, 1975;Petticrew, Lee, & McKee, 2012). Studies suggest that people who possess the hard-driving, competitive, time-urgent Type A pattern of behaviors are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as are those with the more relaxed, easygoing Type B pattern (Kazmi, Amjad, & Khan, 2008), that is, low levels of Type A behavior more like Type B behavior are linked with physical well-being.…”

Time Estimation and Risk Taking Behavior in Type A Personality

“…TAB individuals are highly competitive, ambitious, work driven and aggressive (2). Studies that employ personality factor analysis revealed that risk taking behavior is related to impulsive sensation seeking, aggression and sociability (8)(9)(10).…”

Prevalence of dental caries based on personality types of 35–44 years old residents in Davangere city

“…Many studies have established the relationship of personality of an individual as risk factor of heart diseases, cancer, injuries and mental disorders. 2,3 People with Type A personality traits are aggressive, ambitious, highly competitive, preoccupied with status, workaholics, hostile, and lack patience and traits of Type B personality are relaxed, less stressed, flexible, emotional and expressive, and have a laid-back attitude. The personality of the Type C or ''anger in'' personality is described as a repressive and vigilant personality pattern.…”