Discuss research into the relationship between personality and stress.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Discuss research into the relationship between

personality and stress.

It has been suggested that personality differences affect levels of stress. Friedman and

Rosenman (1974) believe that personality types can be divided into two groups- Type A and

type B.

Type A personalities tend to have the following traits: very active, impatient and

impulsive, whereas type B would be laid back, easy going and relaxed.

Friedman and Rosenman also suggested a third type of personality - Type C. Type C

personalities are described as: nice, industrious, conventional and sociable but tend to be

repressed and react to stress with a sense of helplessness. Friedman and Rosenman proposed

that those with a Type A personality are more susceptible to Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

and are generally a lot more stressed than Type B's. Evidence from 'Western Collaborative

Group Study' supports this idea, although subsequent research has not been as supportive.

Aspects of Type A personality including anger and hostility are the most important factors in

CHD. Type C personalities have also been linked to