Morphological Characteristics of Culprit Plaques in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients With Different Scores of Type A Personality　- An Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested a relationship between type A personality and the occurrence of coronary artery disease, so we used intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate the morphological characteristics of culprit plaques in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with different scores of type A personality.Methods and Results: A total of 221 AMI patients who underwent preintervention imaging of culprit lesions and an assessment of type A behavior pattern were included. According to the scores for the behavior questionnaire, these patients were divided into 3 groups: non-type A personality (n=91), intermediate personality (n=73), and type A personality (n=57). Patients with type A personality were younger (P=0.003) and had a higher level of total cholesterol (P=0.029) and more severe luminal stenosis (P=0.046). In addition, the prevalence of microchannels (P<0.001), macrophage accumulation (P<0.001), and plaque rupture (P=0.010) with greater number (P<0.001), cavity angle (P<0.001), and length (P<0.001) was highest in the type A personality group. CONCLUSIONS: The culprit lesions of AMI patients with increased scores for type A personality had more severe coronary luminal stenosis, and the proportion of vulnerable features was increased.

Impulsivity assessed ten years earlier and sociodemographic factors predict adherence to COVID-19 related behavioral restrictions in old individuals with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had clear and dramatic repercussions on health, the economy, and psychosocial well-being. Behavioral measures, such as wearing facemasks and maintaining distance from others, have proven crucial in fighting the contagion's spread. This study aimed to investigate Type A personality traits and sociodemographic predictors of adherence to governmental measures in a sample of frail individuals. METHODS: A sample of 105 Italians over age 60 (Mean age = 70 years; 60.6% male) affected by hypertension who participated in a previous longitudinal study were assessed through a telephone structured interview. Sociodemographic information and Type A personality traits were retrieved from the original longitudinal study. Adherence behaviors were investigated through several questions regarding the compliance with home confinement, the use of facemasks and the observance of social distancing. Repeated measures Analyses of Variance (RMANOVA), Reliable Change Index, and binomial logistic regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Only 33.3% of the participants reported adherence to all the governmental COVID-19 measures. Being a woman (OR = 4.84; 95% CI = 1.58, 14.90; p < 0.01), being retired (OR = 4.89; 95% CI = 1.09, 21.86; p < 0.05), and suffering from hypertension for a relatively short time (OR = 4.20; 95% CI = 1.22, 14.44; p < 0.05) positively predicted adherence to the governmental measures. Impulsivity resulted in a stable personality characteristic over the last ten years (p = 0.30). Having high levels of impulsivity (OR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.13, 4.59; p < 0.05) negatively predicted adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that impulsivity is a stable personality facet that can have a robust negative impact on adherence behaviors to health claims. Overall, results show the importance to tailor communication strategies that consider the role of sociodemographic indicators and impulsivity to achieve a high level of adherence.

Do type A personality and neuroticism moderate the relationships of occupational stressors, job satisfaction and burnout among Chinese older nurses? A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of burnout among nurses produces huge health service losses. Existing literature found that occupational stressors and low levels of job satisfaction were related to burnout, whilst personality traits such as type A personality and neuroticism influenced occupational stressors, job satisfaction, and burnout. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between occupational stressors and burnout among Chinese older nurses, and explore the moderating effects of type A personality and neuroticism on the relationships among occupational stressors, job satisfaction and burnout. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five provinces and municipalities (mainly in Shandong) in China. A total of 527 female older nurses (age≧40) were included in this study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was employed to investigate the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between occupational stressors and burnout. Multi-group analysis was conducted to explore the moderating effects of type A personality and neuroticism on the relationships among occupational stressors, job satisfaction and burnout. RESULTS: Both nurses with high type A personality and high neuroticism had higher occupational stressors, higher burnout and lower job satisfaction. Occupational stressors had direct effect (ß = 0.29, P = 0.001) and indirect effect mediated by low levels of job satisfaction (ß = 0.25, P = 0.001) on burnout. Type A personality had significant moderated effect (P = 0.007) on the relationships among occupational stressors, job satisfaction and burnout, whereas the moderated effect of neuroticism was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of job satisfaction mediated the relationship between occupational stressors and burnout among Chinese older nurses, and both the direct and indirect effect of occupational stressors on burnout were moderated by type A personality. Hospital administrators should take specific measures such as transferring older nurses to easier positions to reduce their occupational stress, thereby increasing their job satisfaction and reducing their burnout, which is especially important for the older nurses with high type A personality.

PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most important causes of the morbidity and mortality in the Polish and European population, accounting for nearly half of the causes of death. Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, especially in view of the predicted increase in mortality rate as a result of these diseases in the aging populations is crucial. The aim: To characterize selected psychological risk factors that predispose to the development of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Review and disscusion: Numerous scientific studies indicate the importance of mental and psychosocial factors in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation patients with cardiovascular diseases. In this article the most important psychological risk factors, such as Type A and D personality, stress, depression and depressed mood, anxiety, social support and lifestyle are presented. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Population-focused programs devoted to health promotion and informing the general public about the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases should mainly aim at improving people's lifestyle, in particular with regard to nutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and mental well-being.

Association of Emotional Labor, Self-efficacy, and Type A Personality with Burnout in Korean Dental Hygienists.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between emotional labor and burnout, and whether the levels of self-efficacy and type A personality characteristics increase the risk of burnout in a sample of Korean female dental hygienists. Participants were 807 female dental hygienists with experience in performing customer service for one year or more in dental clinics, dental hospitals, or general hospitals in Korea. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the effects of emotional labor on burnout, and to elucidate the additive effects of self-efficacy and type A personality on burnout. The results showed that "overload and conflict in customer service," "emotional disharmony and hurt," and "lack of a supportive and protective system in the organization" were positively associated with burnout. With reference to the relationship between personality traits and burnout, we found that personal traits such as self-efficacy and type A personality were significantly related to burnout, which confirmed the additive effects of self-efficacy and type A personality on burnout. These results indicate that engaging in excessive and prolonged emotional work in customer service roles is more likely to increase burnout. Additionally, an insufficient organizational supportive and protective system toward the negative consequences of emotional labor was found to accelerate burnout. The present findings also revealed that personality traits such as self-efficacy and type A personality are also important in understanding the relationship between emotional labor and burnout.

Dysfunctional personality beliefs and psychopathology in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess dysfunctional personality beliefs associated with specific personality disorders (PD), as well as psychopathological symptoms and psychological distress levels in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included acute and chronic CSC patients and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Dysfunctional personality beliefs and psychopathological symptoms assessed with Personality Belief Questionnaire-Short Form and Symptom Check List-90 Revised (SCL-90-R), respectively, were compared between CSC patients and healthy volunteers and between acute and chronic CSC patients. MAIN RESULTS: Of the 55 CSC patients included in the study analysis, 21 (38.2%) had acute and 34 (61.8%) chronic CSC. Avoidant PD (13.92±3.79 vs. 12.03±3.98, P=0.012) and obsessive-compulsive PD (13.94±3.95 vs. 12.27±3.75, P=0.025) scores on the PBQ-SF were significantly higher in CSC patients than in healthy volunteers. The PBQ-SF scores were similar between acute and chronic CSC patients. CSC patients scored significantly higher on the general severity index (GSI) and all symptom dimensions except phobic anxiety and psychoticism on the SCL-90-R. In addition, scores for obsessive-compulsive, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, and GSI were significantly higher in acute than in chronic CSC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This first study investigating the relationship between CSC and dysfunctional personality beliefs indicates that CSC patients have higher levels of dysfunctional beliefs related to avoidant and obsessive-compulsive PD than healthy volunteers. These findings present a new aspect of the personality profile of CSC patients and point to a target for intervention, i.e., dysfunctional beliefs, through a cognitive-psychiatric approach.

Personality traits favourable for non-adherence to treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia: role of type A and D personality.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) therapy has revolutionized the treatment of this disease. Although regular TKI intake is a prerequisite for successful therapy, it has been shown that a significant proportion of patients are non-compliant. Recently there is growing evidence that personality traits may influenced the tendency for non-adherence to treatment in patients with chronic diseases. As far as we know, such a relationship in patients with CML has not been examined, yet. The aim of our study was to determine if personality traits favor non-adherence to treatment recommendations. We investigated the relationship between five-factor model personality factors (conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, and openness) and medication non-adherence. We also checked if the patients with type A and type D personality, were at higher risk of poor medication adherence. METHODS: The following tools were used: self-constructed survey, the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, the Framingham Type A Scale, the D-Scale 14. The study included 140 CML patients treated with imatinib, dasatinib, or nilotinib. RESULTS: 39% of patients reported skipping at least one dose of medication in the month prior to follow-up visit. 51% admitted to skipping such doses from the start of their treatment to the time at which our assessment was performed. We did not find any relationship between the mean values of the analyzed factors of the Big Five (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and adherence. However, our analysis revealed that CML patients who admitted to missing doses of drugs during the entire course of treatment demonstrated greater intensity of type A personality traits (p = 0.020). Regarding both factors of type D personality, it was revealed that higher level of negative affectivity significantly decreased the adherence (p = 0.020). CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that screening for type D and A personalities may help to identify patients who are at higher risk of poor medication adherence.

Corrigendum: Organisational caring ethical climate and its relationship with workplace bullying and post traumatic stress disorder: The role of type A/B behavioural patterns.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1042297.].

Neural correlates of Type A personality: Type A personality mediates the association of resting-state brain activity and connectivity with eating disorder symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Type A personality (TAP) was characterized by impatience, competitiveness, aggressiveness, and hostility. Higher TAP was proved to be associated with more eating disorder symptoms (EDS). While little is known about the underlying neural substrates of TAP and how TAP is linked to EDS at the neural level. METHODS: To investigate the neural basis of TAP, we adopted fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) via resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) (N = 1620). Mediation models were examined to explore the relationship between TAP, EDS, and brain activity. RESULTS: TAP was associated with decreased fALFF in the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and increased fALFF in the left precentral gyrus (PreCG). Furthermore, TAP was positively correlated to RSFC between the left MFG and left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG) and between the left PreCG and right middle temporal gyrus (MTG). Mediation analysis showed TAP fully mediated the association of the left MFG activity, MFG-ITG connectivity, and PreCG-MTG connectivity with EDS. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design of this study precludes us from specifying the causal relationship in the associations we observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested spontaneous activity in the left MFG and PreCG is associated with TAP, and even in general sample, people with higher TAP showed more EDS. The present study is the first to investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of TAP in a large sample and further offered new insights into the relation between TAP and EDS from a neural basis perspective.

Does Type A personality have a positive or negative impact on the delayed retirement intention of older workers?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the effects of Type A personality were positive or negative on the intention to delay retirement when taking into account both its direct and indirect effects mediated by occupational stressors and psychological distress. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on the intention to delay retirement, psychological distress, occupational stressors, and Type A personality among 1752 older Chinese workers was conducted, and a structural equation approach was employed to examine these effects. RESULTS: The delayed retirement intention of Chinese workers was low (i.e., individuals were unwilling to delay retirement), and the expected retirement age was significantly lower than the official retirement age (i.e., the age when individuals become eligible for government pensions). Type A personality was directly associated with significantly higher intentions to delay retirement, but its indirect effects mediated by occupational stressors and psychological distress were insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The total effects of Type A personality on the intention to delay retirement were positive. Personalized intervention strategies based on Type A personality may be beneficial in motivating the work potential of older workers.

Type A Behaviour Pattern and Health Behaviour of Polish Nurses.

"Coronary prone behaviour pattern" refers to a way of coping with environmental stressors, otherwise known as type A behaviour patterns. Stress, unlimited working hours, and the shift system are conducive to an "unhealthy life style", conducted by nurses. The aim of the study was to assess the "coronary prone behaviour pattern", taking into account health behaviour and work performed by Polish nurses. Method: This was a descriptive study conducted from June 2017 to May 2018 among nurses (N = 1080) working primary care or in training facilities in Silesia, Poland. Data were acquired through a series of questionnaires and are presented as descriptive statistics. Results: The "coronary prone behaviour pattern" (type A behaviour) was manifested by 333 (30.8%) nurses, type B by 272 (25.2%). The "coronary prone behaviour pattern" respondents showed a risk of developing a problem with alcohol (p = 0.003) less frequently compared with other respondents. In addition, nurses with the abovementioned behaviour pattern ate better (M = 16.66; SD = 6.11) compared with those with the type B behaviour pattern (M = 15.49; SD = 6.52). In terms of mental and physical wellbeing, people with type A behavioural patterns had significantly (p < 0.001) better mental and physical wellbeing and, on average, better results in coping with stress compared with other behavioural patterns of nurses. Conclusion: The occurrence of the "coronary prone behaviour pattern" was associated with the health-promoting behaviours of nurses being the subject of the analysis, i.e., better mental and physical wellbeing, better ability to cope with stress, and a lower risk of problems with alcohol and proper nutrition.

Organisational caring ethical climate and its relationship with workplace bullying and post traumatic stress disorder: The role of type A/B behavioural patterns.

A multifaceted, holistic approach to identifying potential predictors is needed to eradicate workplace bullying. The current study investigated the impact of an unfavourable organisational climate that plays a role in breeding workplace bullying (social stressors). The present study also postulated that individual personality differences (Type A and Type B personality) mediate between a caring climate and workplace bullying. Similarly, the interaction between workplace bullying and personality impacts PTSD. We also checked the role of workplace bullying as a mediator between a caring climate and PTSD. This research tested all the proposed hypotheses (N = 298), and the study was conducted in Pakistan. The data is analysed using the two-step partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) procedure. The first part assesses the measurement model, while in the second step, the structural model is evaluated. The results supported all the proposed hypotheses of this study. Type A behaviour moderated the caring climate-person-related bullying relationship, whereas it did not moderate the caring climate-work-related bullying in the suggested direction. Type A behaviour is moderated for both types of bullying and PTSD. Results also show significant indirect effects of a caring climate on PTSD through workplace bullying. This study will contribute theoretically to filling the literature gap on studies of climate-bullying and bullying-stress using contingency factors.

Evaluation of Dietary Habits, Type A Behavior Pattern and Its Relationship with Oral Health Status in Dental Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Oral health status among dental students has been widely studied, and while the repercussions of certain factors, such as personality type, adherence to healthy lifestyle habits and certain eating patterns, have been considered in the past, this study aims to study the combination of such factors and to carry out, in addition, clinical examinations that could provide deeper knowledge of real oral health status. A sample of 195 dental students was gathered and basic sociodemographic data (gender, age, nationality, hygiene habits, body mass index (BMI)) were collected, and type A personality scale (ERCTA), emotional eating (EE) and healthy lifestyle scale (EVS) values were registered. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlations, a hierarchical linear regression model and moderation analysis were performed. Results showed that higher EE values were associated with a higher BMI, an increase in the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, a higher number of carious and filled teeth, a higher ERCTA and a lower adherence to the EVS. Likewise, a higher DMFT was associated with a higher BMI, higher bleeding on probing index (BOP) values, higher ERCTA values and lower adherence to EVS. Dental floss disuse, BMI, EE and EVS predicted 25.3% of DMFT. In addition, a type A personality has a moderating effect only in those with medium and high EE levels.

The Pathways from Type A Personality to Physical and Mental Health Amid COVID-19: A Multiple-Group Path Model of Frontline Anti-Epidemic Medical Staff and Ordinary People.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey was conducted using the questionnaire method among participants consisting of both ordinary people (n = 325) and frontline anti-epidemic medical staff (n = 310), and physiological data was obtained on the basis of physical examination. This study aimed to scrutinize the influence of Type A personality on the biochemical indicators of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the behavioral indicators of appetite and sleep disorder, and to analyze the mediating effect of depression. Meanwhile, multiple-group path analysis was used to evaluate path differences between the models of two samples. The results of the mediation analysis for both samples demonstrated that depression significantly mediated the relationship between Type A personality and appetite and sleep disorder. The results of multiple-group path analysis showed that the relationship between Type A personality and appetite and sleep disorder seems to be significantly stronger in ordinary people, whereas the relationship between depression and appetite and sleep disorder, as well as with the path towards AST, seems to be significantly stronger in frontline anti-epidemic medical staff. This paper provides ideas for the selection and distribution of medical personnel based on personality characteristics in major public health emergencies, and physical and mental health status should be taken into account to provide relative health assistance.

Type A personality and mortality: Competitiveness but not speed is associated with increased risk.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Type A behavior pattern (TABP) is a possible risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, existing evidence is conflicting, also because studies did not examine underlying traits separately. In this study, we investigated whether all-cause and CVD mortality were associated with the Bortner Scale, a measure of TABP, in particular with its subscales competitiveness and speed. METHODS: Information on Bortner Scale and covariates of 9921 participants was collected at baseline in two cross-sectional studies that were linked with mortality information, yielding a follow-up of up to 37 years. We analyzed the Bortner Scale and its two subscales competitiveness and speed. Applying Cox regression models, we investigated the association with all-cause, CVD, and specific CVD type mortality. RESULTS: During follow-up, 3469 deaths were observed (1118 CVD deaths). The total Bortner Scale was not associated with mortality, only its subscales. In women, competitiveness was positively associated with all-cause mortality (highest category vs. the lowest, HR 1.25 [95% CI 1.08,1.44]), CVD mortality (1.39 [1.07,1.81]), and ischemic heart disease mortality (intermediate category vs. the lowest, 1.46 [1.02,2.10]). In men, CVD mortality was inversely associated with speed (highest category vs. the lowest, 0.74 [0.59,0.93]). CONCLUSIONS: The subscales of the Bortner Scale may be associated with CVD in an opposed manner and may therefore have to be analyzed separately. More studies are needed to further investigate this association, also considering differences by sex. Persons scoring high in the competitiveness subscale ought to be screened and counselled in order to reduce their CVD risk.