Cognitive Therapy, Stress Management Training, and the Type A behavior pattern

Abstract

The effectiveness of two treatments for reducing stress associated with the Type A behavior pattern was evaluated. One treatment, Stress Management Training, was a replication of a previously reported treatment. The Cognitive Therapy treatment, based on the principles of rational-emotive therapy, was designed specifically for this study. Both treatment groups were compared with a waiting list control group on several self-report and physiological measures. For subjects who initially had the highest degree of Type A characteristics, Cognitive Therapy was more effective than Stress Management Training or no treatment in reducing self-perceived levels of Type A behavior. Both treatments reduced self-reported anxiety levels, and were more effective than no treatment. Neither treatment reduced subjects' cholesterol levels or blood pressure.