Relationships between type A behaviour, work and leisure

Impulsivity assessed ten years earlier and sociodemographic factors predict adherence to COVID-19 related behavioral restrictions in old individuals with hypertension

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has had clear and dramatic repercussions on health, the economy, and psychosocial well-being. Behavioral measures, such as wearing facemasks and maintaining distance from others, have proven crucial in fighting the contagion's spread. This study aimed to investigate Type A personality traits and sociodemographic predictors of adherence to governmental measures in a sample of frail individuals.

METHODS

A sample of 105 Italians over age 60 (Mean age = 70 years; 60.6% male) affected by hypertension who participated in a previous longitudinal study were assessed through a telephone structured interview. Sociodemographic information and Type A personality traits were retrieved from the original longitudinal study. Adherence behaviors were investigated through several questions regarding the compliance with home confinement, the use of facemasks and the observance of social distancing. Repeated measures Analyses of Variance (RMANOVA), Reliable Change Index, and binomial logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Only 33.3% of the participants reported adherence to all the governmental COVID-19 measures. Being a woman (OR = 4.84; 95% CI = 1.58, 14.90; p < 0.01), being retired (OR = 4.89; 95% CI = 1.09, 21.86; p < 0.05), and suffering from hypertension for a relatively short time (OR = 4.20; 95% CI = 1.22, 14.44; p < 0.05) positively predicted adherence to the governmental measures. Impulsivity resulted in a stable personality characteristic over the last ten years (p = 0.30). Having high levels of impulsivity (OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.13, 4.59; p < 0.05) negatively predicted adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that impulsivity is a stable personality facet that can have a robust negative impact on adherence behaviors to health claims. Overall, results show the importance to tailor communication strategies that consider the role of sociodemographic indicators and impulsivity to achieve a high level of adherence.

A Type A and Type D Combined Personality Typology in Essential Hypertension and Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients: Associations with Demographic, Psychological, Clinical, and Lifestyle Indicators

Many studies have focused on Type A and Type D personality types in the context of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but nothing is known about how these personality types combine to create new profiles. The present study aimed to develop a typology of Type A and Type D personality in two groups of patients affected by and at risk for coronary disease. The study involved 711 patients: 51.6% with acute coronary syndrome, 48.4% with essential hypertension (mean age = 56.4 years; SD = 9.7 years; 70.7% men). Cluster analysis was applied. External variables, such as socio-demographic, psychological, lifestyle, and clinical parameters, were assessed. Six groups, each with its own unique combined personality profile scores, were identified: Type D, Type A-Negatively Affected, Not Type A-Negatively Affected, Socially Inhibited-Positively Affected, Not Socially Inhibited, and Not Type A-Not Type D. The Type A-Negatively Affected cluster and, to a lesser extent, the Type D cluster, displayed the worst profile: namely higher total cardiovascular risk index, physical inactivity, higher anxiety and depression, and lower self-esteem, optimism, and health status. Identifying combined personality profiles is important in clinical research and practice in cardiovascular diseases. Practical implications are discussed.

Type A behavior and daily living activity among older minority women

INTRODUCTION

The association between type A behavior pattern (TABP) and physical activity is unclear, with studies reporting both positive and negative results and some reporting no association. Because previous studies have looked primarily at the relationship between TABP and exercise, the purpose of this study was to assess the association between TABP and (1) total activity, (2) activity at work, (3) exercise, (4) household chores, (5) leisure activity, and (6) inactivity.

METHODS

Two hundred twenty-seven women (111 African American, 116 Hispanic) from a larger study (Women on the Move) were used in the analysis for this study. The mean age was 49.3 years (SD 7 years), mean weight 77 kg (SD 17.6 kg), and mean body mass index (BMI) 30 (SD 6.5). As part of the Women on the Move Study, participants completed a 7-day diary and a 10-item Activity Temperament Scale. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the relationship between TABP and daily activity. Significant findings were observed for total activity and leisure activity with the Activity Temperament Scale summary score. Both had positive associations, indicating that those who had a higher score on the Activity Temperament Scale also had higher total activity kilocalories (kcal) and leisure activity kilocalories. Significant positive findings were also observed for total activity, leisure activity, and exercise with individual items on the Activity Temperament Scale. Household chores, work, and inactivity had significant negative associations with one or more of the individual items on the Activity Temperament Scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Although previous studies have reported on TABP and physical activity (primarily exercise), these findings provide new information specific to daily living activity by dimension in an older minority population. Results suggest a positive association between TABP and daily living activity with a general pattern of higher scores associated with higher activity and lower scores associated with higher inactivity. However, even though some significant findings were observed, the overall models did not reveal meaningful associations.