A Study of Four Psychometric Properties of the Jenkins Activity Survey Type a Scale with Suggested Modifications and Validation

Abstract

Despite much evidence that the Jenkins Activity Survey Type A scale is lacking in essential psychometric properties, it continues to be widely used for measuring coronary-prone behavior in both research and applied settings. Four psychometric properties-internal consistency, construct validity, criterion validity, and generalizability-of the JAS Type A scale were assessed relative to coronary risk measurements in a sample of 227 male and female hospital employees. Even when the JAS Type A scale was psychometrically enhanced, it failed to satisfy accepted reliability and validity criteria. Researchers are cautioned against using the JAS Type A scale without performing routine tests of psychometric soundness and controlling for gender differences.