| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to assess both coronary-prone behavior and physiological responses to stress in adult women. Forty-one women, aged 25–55, were tested; half were professional or executive-level employed women, the remainder were housewives. Based on the Jenkins Activity Survey, the working women scored as strong Type A's; the housewife group contained both A's and B's. The heart rate, blood pressure and skin conductance responses were compared for these groups while they rested, performed math problems, and attempted to solve visual puzzles. Type A women showed higher heart rates and larger increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure; Type B women showed larger phasic heart rate decelerations. Employment was not a prerequisite for increased cardiovascular responsivity in Type A's; however, the unemployed Type A's indicated a desire to work. Given the similarities between employment status, Type A behavior and physiological responses in these working women as compared to men, their risk for coronary heart disease may also be similar. |
