High “Need for Control” as a Psychological Risk in Women Suffering from Ischemic Stroke: A Controlled Retrospective Exploratory Study

The assumption is tested that women scoring high on dimensions of coping pattern termed “need for control,” which underlies several of the components of Type A behavior, are at increased risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Consecutively admitted patients to medical wards, nineteen with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, were compared with nineteen patients with non-arteriovascular disease and nineteen healthy females doing volunteer hospital work. “Need for control” was assessed by a psychometric test based on forty-five dichotomous items defining six unidimensional scales. The Bortner Type A behavior was filled out by the subjects and by their next of kin for an impression of the subject. In ANOVA the dimensions “work commitment, hard driving” (F = 6.87, p < .002), “perfectionism, need for making plans” (F = 6.26, p < .003), and “inability to withdraw from work obligations” (F = 3.89, p < .02) differentiated the three groups in the expected direction. Duncan multiple range test resulted in very similar, significant findings, as did Bortner measures, filled out by a next of kin (F = 4.63, p < .01). In all analyses, effects of age, current smoking, and coronary artery disease (CAD) were controlled. Our results suggest that high “need for control” defines a psychological risk in women suffering from ischemic stroke. Prospective studies should be undertaken. If they confirm our results, interventions aimed at modifying the “need for control” should be planned.