Abstract
Type D personality has been associated with poor prognosis in cardiac patients. This study investigated the validity of the
Type D construct in Iceland and its association with disease severity and health-related risk markers in cardiac patients.
A sample of 1,452 cardiac patients completed the Type D scale (DS14), and a subgroup of 161 patients completed measurements
for the five-factor model of personality, emotional control, anxiety, depression, stress and lifestyle factors. The Icelandic
DS14 had good psychometric properties and its construct validity was confirmed. Prevalence of Type D was 26–29%, and assessment
of Type D personality was not confounded by severity of underlying coronary artery disease. Regarding risk markers, Type D
patients reported more psychopharmacological medication use and smoking, but frequency of previous mental problems was similar
across groups. Type D is a valid personality construct in Iceland, and is associated with health-related risk markers, but
not cardiac disease severity.
Type D construct in Iceland and its association with disease severity and health-related risk markers in cardiac patients.
A sample of 1,452 cardiac patients completed the Type D scale (DS14), and a subgroup of 161 patients completed measurements
for the five-factor model of personality, emotional control, anxiety, depression, stress and lifestyle factors. The Icelandic
DS14 had good psychometric properties and its construct validity was confirmed. Prevalence of Type D was 26–29%, and assessment
of Type D personality was not confounded by severity of underlying coronary artery disease. Regarding risk markers, Type D
patients reported more psychopharmacological medication use and smoking, but frequency of previous mental problems was similar
across groups. Type D is a valid personality construct in Iceland, and is associated with health-related risk markers, but
not cardiac disease severity.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9337-5
- Authors
- Erla Svansdottir, Department of Medical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases (CoRPS), Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Hrobjartur D. Karlsson, Icelandic Heart Association, Holtasmára 1, 201 Kópavogur, Iceland
- Thorarinn Gudnason, Department of Cardiology, Landspitali-University Hospital, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Daniel T. Olason, Department of Psychology, School of Health, University of Iceland, Oddi v/ Sturlugötu, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Hordur Thorgilsson, Landspitali-University Hospital, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Unnur Sigtryggsdottir, Department of Cardiology, Landspitali-University Hospital, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Eric J. Sijbrands, Departments of Cardiovascular Genetics & Pharmacology, Vascular and Metabolic Diseases, Erasmus Medical Center, Office D435, PO-Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Susanne S. Pedersen, Department of Medical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases (CoRPS), Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Johan Denollet, Department of Medical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases (CoRPS), Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715