Type A behavior : its relationship to participation in and enjoyment of potentially pleasurable activities and various aspects of life satisfaction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the Type A behavior pattern and participation in potentially pleasurable activities, enjoyment of these activities, and various aspects of life satisfaction. Undergraduate college students (N = 267) completed a packet of questionnaires consisting of the student version of the Jenkins Activity Survey, modifications of the Adjective Checklist and the Thurstone Temperament Schedule, the Pleasant Events Schedule, and the Personal Data Form. In addition, subjects completed the Social Desirability Scale, which was included to control for the social desirability phenomenon. Pearson product-moment correlations were computed across all variables to determine the degree of relationship. Type A scores were found to be related to greater frequency of participation in potentially pleasurable activities, in general, but not to greater enjoyment of these activities. Type A scores were not related to satisfaction with life or social relationships, but were related to satisfaction with college major. Multiple discriminant analyses were computed on the data for 97 extreme Type A's and B's. The results revealed that extreme Type A's: (1) participate more frequently in activities, in general, and in many more specific types of activities; (2) do not enjoy activities any more or less than do B's; (3) are neither more nor less satisfied with their social relationships or with life in general. They are, however, more satisfied with their life achievements and their college majors. Interpretations of the results, limitations of the study, other findings, and recommendations for future research were discussed.