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Medical science has conceptualized a link between personality traits and predisposition to coronary heart disease since the end of the 19th century (Oster, 1896). Only recently, however, has research interest been focused in the area. The introduction of the Type A behavior pattern construct (Friedman and Rosenman, 1974) has been of primary importance in the development of an extensive literature linking behavioral and attitudinal components with heart disease. Despite extensive research the Type A construct remains today theoretically complex. The present analysis is an attempt to add conceptual clarity to the Type A formulation via synthesis with Karen Horney's constructs of “movement against others” (Horney, 1945) and the idealized self (Horney, 1950).
Karen Horney's contributions to psychoanalysis have moved that discipline a-quantum leap forward in scope and depth (Ingram, 1985). One area that seems to have been neglected is the application of Horneyan concepts in understanding psychosocial factors that influence physical health. A survey of psychoanalytic literature for the last 10 years produced only one article which applied Horneyan concepts to a health concern manifesting along physical dimensions (Ingram, 1976). This is surprising given Horney's holistic theoretical framework.
The present article is intended to highlight some of the striking parallels between Horney's formulations and recent research on the Type A construct. Further, suggestions will be offered concerning some ways in which these formulations might be applied in both prevention and post-traumatic intervention of the negative health consequences associated with Type A behavior.
The Type A construct was first identified by Friedman and Rosenman (1974) as: