A one-year prospective investigation of Type D personality and self-reported physical health

Objective: Type D personality is characterised by negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI), and is often associated with poorer physical and psychological health. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear and the literature lacks longitudinal assessment. Therefore, the aim was to prospectively examine the relationships between Type D and physical symptoms, in addition to aspects of retrospective health.

Design: An online questionnaire-based study (N?=?535) with a one-year follow-up (N?=?160) was conducted with healthy individuals (18–65 years). Type D was assessed as both a categorical and dimensional construct.

Main outcome measures: Participants completed the Type D scale-14 (DS14), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Cohen–Hoberman Inventory of Physical Symptoms (CHIPS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at both phases. Retrospective health questions and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) were also completed at follow-up.

Results: Type D was independently related to cardiac/sympathetic, metabolic, vasovagal, muscular and headache symptoms at baseline. At follow-up stressful events and anxiety mediated the relationships between Type D and particular symptoms. Type Ds were more likely to report poorer health, increased minor illnesses, work absences, and medical information seeking.

Conclusions: Type D is associated with symptoms often linked to stress. Although the relationships appear to be primarily driven by NA, these findings support the theory of a stress-related mechanism potentially underpinning the Type D-health relationship. These findings contribute to the literature continuing to highlight Type D personality as a risk factor for negative health outcomes.     

The effects of gender differences on the usability of automotive on-board navigation systems – A comparison of 2D and 3D display

This study integrated gender with the user interface of automotive on-board navigation systems to analyze whether gender differences or 2D (2 dimensional) vs. 3D (3 dimensional) display affect the interface usability of an on-board car navigation system (CNS). An experimental design was adopted for collecting data from three tasks – locating points, planning routes, and searching polygons – each emphasizing a different aspect of way-finding. The participants reported their subjective usability via the System Usability Scale after each trial. Study results show that gender, the CNS interface the subject used, and a combination of both predict the usability of an on-board CNS. This study’s results provide a clearer understanding of whether manufacturers should develop interfaces that fit a CNS 2D or 3D display based on gender.