The 'distressed' personality, coping and cardiovascular risk

Type D (or 'distressed') personality has shown success in predicting hard medical outcomes (e.g. morbidity and mortality) in cardiac patients. Little is known about the relationship between Type D individuals prior to disease, or the role that coping may play in individuals with the distressed personality. The present study examined the relationships among Type D Personality, coping strategies, and heart rate variability (HRV) in a non-medical sample of young adults. Social supportive coping was found to moderate the relationship between Type D personality and HRV. Additionally, as compared to non-Type Ds, Type D individuals more often relied on avoidant forms of coping, and they less often relied on positive/problem focused strategies or social support to cope. Implications for primary prevention and future research were discussed.