DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INFORMANTS ABOUT TYPE-A, ANGER, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH BLOOD-PRESSURE

In a study on the influence of different natural environments on self- perception and that of significant others, behavioral manifestations o f Type A, Anger, and Social Support were assessed. It was hypothesized that due to different environmental demands, participants will be per ceived as displaying differences in Type A behavior, anger, and social support at home and at work. Participants were 45 university employee s, consitituting a convenience sample. Assessment included Type A Stru ctured Interveiw scores of participants and questionnaire scores for T ype A, anger, and social support of participants who were also evaluat ed by their spouses and work supervisors. Other risk factors for coron ary heart disease (i.e., blood pressure, smoking, previous heart condi tion, being sedentary, and family history) and their relationships wit h Type A, anger, and social support were also examined. Participants a nd spouses agreed significantly on all measures, whereas participants and work supervisors agreed only on Type A behavior. Spouses' and work supervisors' evaluations of the participants' behavior were not or on ly marginally associated. Multiple regression analysis showed that the level of disagreement between the different informants with respect t o Type A and social support were associated with elevated blood pressu re. These results suggest that the perception of Type A behavior; ange r, and social support may be situationally determined.