Personality and Role Variables as Predictors of Tension Discharge Rate in Three Samples

The study of Type A behavior (Friedman & Rosenman, 1974) is developing a research tradition in related streams of literature in organizational behavior. The predictive characteristics and diversity of these studies are encouraging since they signal improved understanding of the organizational, personal, and economic effects of coping with work-generated tension and stress. The research presented here is consistent with these scholarly developments. The research attempts to illuminate the relationships between: (1) Type A behavior (Friedman & Rosenman, 1974), (2) role conflict and ambiguity (Rizzo House, & Lirtzman, 1970), (3) Locus of control (Rotter, 1966), (4) symptoms of adaptation to stress, and (S) tension discharge rate (Rose, Jenkins, & Hurst, 1978). The relationships between these constructs are studied in three samples: (1) registered nurses, (2) executive MBA students, and (3) female middle level managers in the telecommunications industry. Excellent comparative results were obtained across the occupational groups. Type A behavior and symptoms of adaptation to stress were strong predictors of tension discharge rate. Role variables played a less significant predictive role. These results are discussed relative to current research on adaptation to job stress.