Type A and Type B behaviors, work stressors, and social support at work

Background. How Type A personality is related to the stress process has been investigated. However, in the occupational health field, stressful aspects of the work environment for Type A or B workers have not been fully revealed. Methods. In the present study, using signal detection analysis, we analyzed data concerning work stressors and social support (SS) at work among Japanese white-collar workers (n = 560) and identified the respective aspects of work that are stressful for Type A and B workers. We also evaluated the interactions of SS at work and stressor variables among Type A and B workers, individually. Results. Except for one significant predictor, i.e., being unable to learn new things at work, the significant predictors of mental stress were generally quite different for Type A and B workers. Specifically, SS from management was a cause of mental stress for certain groups of Type A workers. Conclusions. It was revealed that the stressful aspects of work environment varied markedly in accord with the Type A vs Type B personality status of the subjects. The results also implied that even support from management can be stressful for Type A workers who had heavy workloads. The present study used specific measures sensitive to individual stressors and identified specific subgroups with the same work stressors. The findings provide information that is useful for stress reduction intervention.