Stress in Middle-Aged Women: Influence of Type A Behavior and Narcissism

Abstract

The authors examined (1) strength of stress, (2) awareness of stress, and (3) influence of type A behavior and narcissistic personality on stress and its related factors in a sample of 500 middle-aged women. Compared to 400 middle-aged working men, the women scored lower on the type A and coping scales, suggesting the possibility that women with high scores on type A behavior cope better with stress. Moreover, type A behavior in women was related to narcissistic personality. The strength of stressors and stress coping in type A women are affected by the severity of narcissism.

Association of adaptive and maladaptive narcissism with personal burnout: findings from a cross-sectional study

“…Similarly, we found that greater adaptive narcissism was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, sleep problems and stress at home, whereas greater maladaptive narcissism was associated with higher work stress, both in the bivariate and adjusted analysis. These observations concur with previous studies further supporting the notion that narcissism is related to a range of health-related outcomes2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ) . Nonetheless, the investigation of and observed link between narcissism and personal burnout was a novelty and primary focus of our study.…”

“…Narcissism has been related to an array of personal and occupational outcomes2 ) , including perceived stress3, 4 ) , depression4, 5 ) , sleep quality4 ) , counterproductive work behavior6 ) , workaholism7 ) , and work stress8 ) , although its relation to burnout in a non-clinical context has not been scrutinized4 ) . Based on clinical experience and theoretical grounds, narcissistic personality features might also increase the risk of burnout, although empirical evidence of any such relationship is only emerging4 ) .…”

“…This analytical approach will reveal whether the relationships between narcissism and burnout are due to a unique factor in individuals who are high in narcissism but are no more depressed and sleep disturbed than people low in narcissism. Moreover, narcissism has been associated with numerous wellbeing outcomes, including in the work context2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ) ; however, empirical data are lacking as to whether similarly strong relationships exist with burnout. Therefore, we put the size of the partial narcissism-burnout relationship into context with the effects of the partial relationships of narcissism with depressive symptoms, sleep problems, work stress and home stress.…”

Personality traits influencing somatization symptoms and social inhibition in the elderly

“…What can be understood from this relationship between dominance and somatization? Some assumptions we would like to make here are that since the dominance personality trait is forceful – an assertive personality akin to a Type A – it has been found to be related to a narcissistic personality 48. It may therefore be speculated that sociocultural influences have a role to play, particularly among the Thai elderly, with regard to the dominance personality trait.…”