Type A Behavior, Well-being, Work Overload, and Role-related Stress in Information Work

This study investigated the relationships between the Type A behavior pattern, work overload, role-related stress, and well-being in computerized office work. Five hypotheses were formulated. A questionnaire measuring these variables was administered to a sample of 893 employees holding office jobs in a large insurance company, a library, and a staffing organization. Path analysis showed that work overload partially mediates the relationship between Type A behavior and well-being, and that role-related stress and work overload strongly affect well-being in this type of work. Work overload did not moderate the relationship between Type A behavior and well-being. One implication for personnel management is that Type A individuals should be trained to perceive the job demands in a realistic way. Another implication is that communication should be improved to solve the problems of role-related stress and work overload.