Prevalence of type “A” behavior among nurses in hospitals in Mexico as referred by Friedman and Rosenman

Abstract

Introduction: Friedman and Rosenmann (1974) define type “A” behavior as a competitive drive of action-emotion process suffered by a person constantly struggling to achieve a goal in few time. Nursing staff is exposed to this kind of working conditions in the everyday practice; therefore, this research aims to find prevalence of type “A” behavior among manager and operative nursing staff in specialty hospitals in Mexico. Objective: To compare the prevalence of Type “A” behavior among manager and operative nursing staff. The sample is focused in 16 specialty hospitals in Mexico. Material and methods: The data of the study was a number of 100 persons sample, from which, 50% was manager and 50% operative nursing staff working in 16 specialty hospitals in 13 states in Mexico. Data collection was carried by prior Likert questionnaire, supported by the analysis in Excel program of the study’s frequency variable scale. Results: The results show that 80% of the sample is female. 68% with an average between 40 and 45 years old; 12% has post-graduate level. In the variables the results were: 40% in formal components; 78% in attitude, 68% in emotions, 60% in observable behavior, and 75% in cognitive. Discussion: The applied theory is found in manager and operative nursing staff. There is an emphasis in the attitude, emotion, and cognitive aspects. Thus, a bigger and more detailed sample is needed in order to find an explanation of the analyzed phenomenon. Conclusion: The objective was fulfilled, when the study identified the prevalence of the phenomenon in nursing job. Hence, it is necessary to put into operation preventive programs to diminish the stress risk and improve the quality of live levels of these professionals, when there i s no difference between manager and operative nursing staff.