Type D Personality, Stressful Lifestyle, Coping Styles, and Social Support in Military Undergraduates

Type D personality, characterized by negative affectivity and social inhibition, has been shown to predict the prognosis of patients with heart disease. Type D personality has also been shown to have health-compromising effects on patients with other diseases and on the physical and psychological health of otherwise healthy individuals in the general population. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which a problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, dysfunctional or maladaptive coping, perceived stressful lifestyle, and perceived level of social support predict Type D personality in 203 individuals who maintain the dual roles of an active-duty enlisted member of the U.S. military and a full-time college student actively pursuing an undergraduate degree. This quantitative study employed a survey method. Dysfunctional or maladaptive coping and perceived levels of stress were significant and positive predictors of Type D personality. Perceived social support significantly and negatively predicted Type D personality. Problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping were not significant predictors of Type D personality. Military and university mental and medical health care providers may use these results for positive social change to improve coping skills training, stress management, and other preventative means, to assist students with the health compromising effects associated with Type D personality.