Norio Mishima

Type A behavior pattern in Japanese employees: Cross-cultural comparison of major factors in Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) responses

The responses to the Japanese edition of the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) (Form C) were analyzed in 1682 male employees of a Japanese enterprise to investigate the characteristics of the Type A behavior pattern (TABP) in Japan. When the occupational level was controlled, the mean values of the Type A score were found to be quite similar to those of the Western Collaborative Group Study (WCGS), although those of factor H scores were considerably lower than those of the WCGS. Additionally, the results of a factor analysis conducted on the responses to JAS questions showed that the factor structure of the responses was basically equal to that found in the WCGS. In contrast to factor J of the WCGS, however, Japanese factor J did not comprise the items which signaled rises in positions or incomes in recent years. The results of this study indicate that the JAS is able to measure the TABP in Japan, at least concerning its three component factors. Furthermore, they suggest that the TABP is not necessarily reinforced in Japanese occupational environments.

Plasma-free and sulfoconjugated MHPG in major depressive disorders: Differences between responders to treatment and nonresponders

The plasma levels of free and sulfoconjugated forms of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were examined before and after treatment in 16 patients with unipolar major depressive disorders without melancholia. The patients were treated with intravenous administration of clomipramine for 4 weeks. Seven depressive disorder patients who showed marked improvement (the improvement group) revealed significant reduction in their plasma sulfoconjugated MHPG levels. In 6 depressive disorder patients who showed no improvement (the no-improvement group), the plasma sulfoconjugated MHPG levels showed no significant change after treatment. The remaining 3 patients, who showed ambiguous change after treatment, were excluded from the analysis. Levels of plasma-free MHPG showed significant change after treatment in neither the improvement group nor in the no-improvement group. It is suggested that levels of plasma sulfoconjugated MHPG may serve as an indicator of brain noradrenergic activity.