DEVELOPMENTAL AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF BEHAVIOR PATTERN TO HEART-RATE REACTIVITY BETWEEN 2 TEENAGE SAMPLES

The Type A Behavior Pattern was assessed for 122 teenagers from two ag e-groups. Subjects had their heart rate measured during rest and prese ntation of a mental arithmic stressor under timed and competitive cond itions. Data were analyzed to deterine whether sex, age, task performa nce, and behavior pattern predicted the degree of heart rate reactivit y shown by these children. Although there were no significant main eff ects for behavior pattern, sex, or age, there was a significant intera ction among age, sex, and behavior pattern. It is suggested that the t wo age groups ot' teenagers sampled here differ in the relationships t hey show between behavior pattern and heart rate reactivity. This resu lt challenges some previous assumptions with regard to the homogeneity of teenagers on this issue.