The type a coronary-prone personality : a coping mechanism for situational control

What is the factor that relates coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular problems to societal advancement and increased occupational demands? This paper will examine this question by first reviewing the studies done by Meyer Friedman and R.H. Rosenman which have provided evidence to suggest that there is a link between stressful situations and coronary heart disease, and which led to the development of the personality type A which is coronary prone. The physiological effects that stress may produce and the ways in which this may lead to coronary heart disease will be discussed. Also examined will be the proposal by Glass (1977a) which suggests that the Type A behavior pattern is a coping mechanism whereby Type A individuals try to maintain control over their environment even though the situation may be uncontrollable. Further studies based on this proposal will also be reviewed