Type A behaviour pattern is associated with cynicism and low self‐acceptance in medical students

In the present study, we investigated the associations between Type A behaviour pattern, depressive state, other psychological factors and biological factors, in particular lipid metabolism. Seventy Japanese medical college students (40 males and 30 females) were assessed for Type A behaviour pattern, depressive state and other psychological factors, and serum lipid concentrations were measured. By using Structured Interview, it was revealed that 21 (52.5 per cent) male students exhibited Type A behaviour pattern, whereas 8 (27.5 per cent) female students exhibited this pattern. Although there was no significant difference in terms of depressive state or serum lipid levels between students exhibiting Type A and non‐Type A behaviour pattern, Type A students had significantly higher cynicism and lower levels of self‐acceptance than non‐Type A students after controlling for age and gender. These findings suggest that Type A behaviour pattern is more prevalent among male than female Japanese medical students. The pattern may be associated with a high degree of cynicism and low self‐acceptance, but is not apparently related to serum lipid levels. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.