Cognitive and affective components of the type a behavior pattern: Preliminary evidence for a self-worth contingency model

Abstract

The present research provides a preliminary empirical investigation of a proposed self-worth contingency model of Type A behavior. In this model it is hypothesized that Type A individuals attempt to meet generally unrealistic performance standards for self-worth evaluation by engaging in hard-driven, aggressive, and time urgent work-directed behaviors. Furthermore, because of the generally unrealistic nature of these evaluative contingencies, Type A individuals display an increased propensity towards more negative self-evaluations and depression. A pilot study and two larger studies are described, in which relationshipc were examined between three measures of Type A (the Survey of Work Styles, the Jenkins Activity Survey, and the Framingham Type A Scale) and measures of dysfunctional attitudes, depression, self-esteem, perceived stress, and ways of coping. Consistent with the proposed model, the results revealed that Type A individuals (as identified by both the Survey of Work Styles and Framingham scales) are more likely to endorse dysfunctional attitudes indicating unrealistic contingencies for self-worth and report higher levels of depressed affect. In addition, female Type A individuals revealed lower levels of self-esteem and greater perceived stress. Type A behavior was also found to be related to increased use of emotion-focused coping strategies, especially so for females. These findings were discussed in terms of the multidimensionality of the Type A construct and the utility of conceptualizing Type A as a personality dimension with implications for a generally reduced quality of life.