Type A behavior pattern: A new insight to gender challenges in higher education

Abstract

The debate that Type A behavior pattern, characterized by a chronic struggle to achieve several goals and its resultant effect in triggering coronary heart disease is continuously ongoing. Contributing to this debate, this study examined the incidence of this behavior pattern among male and female postgraduate students. Two hundred eight postgraduate students (males 104, females=104) in the age range 25–50 (mean=20.18) years were randomly selected from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Employing Type A Behavior Pattern Scale (TABS) it was observed that females obtained higher mean scores on Type A behavior and associated variables than the males (Females=54.98; Males=51.98 (TABS total score); hard driving (F=16.99, M=15.50); time urgency (F=20.32, M=19.05), and job pressure (F=17.76, M=16.56). A test for statistical significance with t-independent statistics revealed that scores of Type A Behavior Scale Total (TABT=2.36) as well as a sub-scale of Type A (hard driving=2.14) were significant at df, 207; p < 0.05, critical t=1.96. Implications of the result were discussed in line with obvious tilted gendered sphere, and the desire of the female gender for equity and psychological satisfaction.

Keywords:

• behavior
• health
• gender
• higher education