Effects of the anger expression and hostility components of the type A personality behavior pattern : on physiological recovery from a psychosocial stressor / by Mary-Beth Minthorn-Biggs.

Abstract

The present study re-examined the relationship of the Type A Behavior Pattern to heart rate and finger temperature recovery from a psychosocial stressor. It also investigated the role of anger expression, hostility and rehearsal as predictors of delayed heart rate and finger temperature recovery. 30 male and 29 female students were given questions of multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, with a few geography and general knowledge questions also included. Heart rate and finger temperature were measured before, during, and after the stressor presentation. Results showed that heart rate recovery was significantly slower for those individuals who scored high on Angerin and Rehearsal scales. No heart differences in recovery were found between Type A and Type B individuals. Evidence was presented that the Rehearsal scale has an anger component which may be responsible for its relationship to slower heart rate recovery. In contrast to the rapid recovery of heart rate, finger temperature did not recover over the 10 minute recovery period. There were no significant correlations between finger temperature recovery and personality.