TYPE-A BEHAVIOR, PROBLEM-SOLVING STYLE AND HEALTH IN MALE AND FEMALE MANAGERS

The relationship between Type A behaviour (TAB), problem-solving style , and health was investigated in a sample of 79 middle managers (40 ma les and 39 females), using a questionnaire methodology. Health was div ided into psychological well-being, self-raced physical healthiness, s elf-rated frequency of illness and self-raced health behaviour. Proble m-solving style was treated as a multidimensional construct and was me asured in terms of six factors, helplessness, control, confidence, cre ativity approach, and avoidance styles. Type As reported significantly more illness chan Type Bs. In addition,a highly significant sex by TA B interaction was found on problem-solving confidence and problem-solv ing helplessness indicating chat Type A females and Type B males were the more confident problem solvers and Type A females and Type B males felt less helpless in problem situations. On psychological well-being , self-rated healthiness and self-rated health behaviour there were no differences between Type As and Type Bs. Multiple regression analysis showed that scores on TAB only accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in self-raced frequency of illness. Problem-solving s tyle accounted for a significant proportion of the variance on all hea lth measures.