Type A Personality as a Moderator of the Effects of Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity and Role Overload on Individual Strain

Abstract

The relations between three types of role stress (role ambiguity, role conflict, role overload) and three measures of individual strain were examined in a sample of 91 middle managers. Separate measures of psychological strain (anxiety, resentment, depression), physical strain (headaches, dizziness, shortage of breath, nausea, fatigue) were developed. In addition, the heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate of each subject was assesed. The relations between role conflict and physical strain and between role conflict and psychological strain were significantly positive and higher among Type A personalities than among Type B personalities. The relations between role stress and heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate were negligible and were not moderated by personality (Type A or Type B). The results highlight the important role of personality factors in determining how people react to different kinds of stress.

Index Terms:

• role ambiguity
• role conflict
• role overload
• stress
• psychological strain
• Type A personality
• anxiety
• heart rate
• diastolic blood pressure
• respiration rate
• depression