Abdulrahman Al Fulaij
University of Bahrain, Bahrain
Title: Type A and B Personalities from Psychological Perspective among Medical Students
Biography
Biography: Abdulrahman Al Fulaij
Abstract
Introduction: Research in the last two decades has shown that people with type A personality are astronomically competitive, selfcritical
of performances, endeavor for perfectionism in their vocations and strive toward goals in their lives without feeling a sense of
bliss. Type A individuals will eventually suff er from cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks at an earlier age compared with those
with type B personality who are more inclined to be genial, relaxed, and internally fi xated on their feelings and emotions. Th e main
objective of our study was to ascertain the prevalence of type A & B personalities among fi rst-year students who opt to study medicine.
Methods: 77 fi rst year medical students registered in the Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain during the academic year 2013-2014 were
randomly selected to be involved in the study. Students completed a pre-designed questionnaire that included measures for type A
and type B behaviors by using the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS).
Results: Th e number of female and male students was 49 (963.6%) and 28 (36.4%) respectively. Th eir ages ranged between 17 and
20 years with mean of 17.8 years. Six diff erent Arab nationalities were represented. Th e study found that the students with type A
personality exceeded those with B [59 (76.6%) vs. 18 (23.4%)]. No signifi cant relationship was found between personality type and
other demographic characteristics except for a mild signifi cant relationship (P<0.053) with sex with more females having type A than
males.
Conclusion: Th e majority of the medical students are of type A personality betokening that such future careers, such as medicine,
require extensive commitment and are opted conventionally by students who have type A personality. It was also found that more
females have type A than B personality characteristics, a fi nding that is contrary to the prevalent understanding of the Arab-Islamic
society in the context that Arab women are oppressed and less decisive about their future.