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. 1997 Apr;2(1):28–34. doi: 10.1007/BF02931226

The effects of lifestyle and type a behavior on the life-stress process

Soichiro Maruyama 1,✉, Kanehisa Morimoto 1,✉
PMCID: PMC2723327  PMID: 21432447

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of personal factors such as lifestyle and Thpe A behavior on the life-stress process, we analyzed data randomly collected from 428 metropolitan Tokyo residents. Path analysis techniques were implemented to examine the direct and indirect effects of lifestyle and the Type A behavior pattern between life events, subjective stress and depressive symptoms. The following results were obtained:

  1. Persons with a healthy lifestyle perceived a lower subjective stress level.

  2. Although females with a healthy lifestyle had fewer direct depressive symptoms, males with a healthy lifestyle had fewer indirect depressive symptoms due to alleviation of subjective stress.

  3. Type A males perceived a lower subjective stress level and Type A females experienced more life events.

It is suggested that mental health is modified not only by lifestyle but also by Type A behavior in the life-stress process. In particular, the preservation and promotion of a healthy lifestyle appear to reduce subjective stress and may be an important factor for the improvement of mental ill health.

Key words: Life event, Lifestyle, Stress, Type A behavior, Health practice, Depressive symptom

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