Abstract
Methods
Cross-sectional study of North American retirement-aged residents (N = 303). The primary outcome variable was a modified 10-year absolute CHD risk score from the Framingham Heart Study. Secondary
outcomes included adiposity and a 5-item measure of patient/provider interaction inhibition. We regressed CHD risk on negative
affect (NA), social inhibition (SI), and the NAxSI interaction (i.e., the Type D personality) and repeated these analyses
for adiposity and for patient/provider interaction inhibition. We also contrasted CHD risk across Type D and non-Type D categories.
outcomes included adiposity and a 5-item measure of patient/provider interaction inhibition. We regressed CHD risk on negative
affect (NA), social inhibition (SI), and the NAxSI interaction (i.e., the Type D personality) and repeated these analyses
for adiposity and for patient/provider interaction inhibition. We also contrasted CHD risk across Type D and non-Type D categories.
Results
None of the personality variables were associated with CHD risk for the whole sample (regression coefficients from −0.11 to
.10, Ps > 0.29) or in gender-specific analyses. For adiposity, NA was positively associated and SI was negatively associated with
BMI in women (Ps < 0.05), but there were no other personality associations. Patient/provider interaction inhibition was associated with SI
(P < 0.001) but not NA or the NAxSI interaction (P = 0.42). The contrast between Type D and non-Type D personality revealed no differences in CHD risk (P = 0.93).
.10, Ps > 0.29) or in gender-specific analyses. For adiposity, NA was positively associated and SI was negatively associated with
BMI in women (Ps < 0.05), but there were no other personality associations. Patient/provider interaction inhibition was associated with SI
(P < 0.001) but not NA or the NAxSI interaction (P = 0.42). The contrast between Type D and non-Type D personality revealed no differences in CHD risk (P = 0.93).
Conclusions
Neither Type D nor its constituent NA and SI traits were associated with absolute incident CHD risk in retirement-aged adults
free of reported CHD. Optimal analytic practices and attention to patient/provider interaction behavior will improve our understanding
of the association between Type D personality traits and health.
free of reported CHD. Optimal analytic practices and attention to patient/provider interaction behavior will improve our understanding
of the association between Type D personality traits and health.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s12529-012-9223-8
- Authors
- Noel C. Larson, Department of Psychology, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15106, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
- Steven D. Barger, Department of Psychology, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15106, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
- Sumner J. Sydeman, Department of Psychology, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 15106, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
- Journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1532-7558
- Print ISSN 1070-5503