Introduction
The Jenkins Activity Survey – Form T (JAS-T) stands as a significant psychometric instrument designed to measure the Type A behavior pattern, a construct historically associated with the risk of coronary heart disease. Importantly, it was developed by D.C. Jenkins, S. Zyzanski, and R. Rosenman, the survey has evolved through multiple editions over the years.
In paricular, early editions were published in 1965 (1st edition), 1966 (2nd edition), and 1969 (3rd edition). Subsequently, Form B (the 4th edition) was released in 1972, and the 5th edition, known as Form C, was officially published in 1979 as the first form for the scientific community. Moreover, the overall body of work related to the JAS has garnered over 2,000 citations on Google Scholar, reflecting its historical significance in behavioral medicine and psychology research.
Finally, this article explores the JAS-T’s features, weighted scoring methodology, clinical applications, and limitations, offering a comprehensive resource for experts in behavioral psychology and public health.
Key Features of the Jenkins Activity Survey – Form T (JAS-T)
Purpose and Use
The JAS-T primarily serves to measure the Type A behavior pattern, focusing on identifying individuals who exhibit coronary-prone behaviors. In particular, it assesses urgency in daily activities, competitiveness in academic tasks, and general impatience. By contrast, unlike broader personality tests, the JAS-T is laser-focused on achievement striving and hard-driving traits that correlate with physiological stress responses.
Target Population
The JAS-T is validated for use with adults (18+):
- Young Adults (18-24 years)
- Middle-Aged Adults (25-44 years)
- Older Adults (45-64 years)
- Seniors (65+ years) (if working/retired)
- Students (College/University)
Structure
The JAS-T comprises 54 items that contribute to four distinct scales:
- Type A Global Score (21 items): Measures the overall Type A behavior pattern.
- Speed and Impatience (S) (21 items): Evaluates frustration with waiting and general urgency.
- Job/Academic Involvement (J) (24 items): Assesses dedication to work or study, often at the expense of social activities.
- Hard-Driving/Competitiveness (H) (20 items): Measures the need to outperform peers and achieve high standards.
Each item typically utilizes a multiple-choice format, often similar to a Likert scale, to capture the intensity or frequency of a behavior.
Scoring Method
The JAS-T utilizes a sophisticated weighted scoring system to accurately quantify the Type A behavior pattern (TABP) and its subcomponents. In contrast, unlike simple frequency-based scales, this method assigns varying weight values to responses based on their predictive validity for TABP, thereby enabling a more nuanced assessment.
Calculation of Scores
The total score and subscale scores are derived from the summation of these weighted responses.
- Type A Global Score: This comprehensive score is calculated from the 21 items most strongly predictive of the overall Type A pattern. A higher total score directly signifies a stronger presence of the Type A behavior pattern.
- Subscale Scores: Three primary components of TABP are measured:
- Speed and Impatience (S): Calculated from 21 items.
- Job/Academic Involvement (J): Calculated from 24 items.
- Hard-Driving/Competitiveness (H): Calculated from 20 items.
It is worth noting that some items contribute to multiple scales, which accounts for the overlap in item counts (e.g., 21, 24, and 20 items for the subscales, totaling more than the 54 items overall).
Administration Format
The JAS-T requires 15–30 minutes to administer, making it a moderately lengthy but comprehensive assessment. It allows for flexibility in administration via:
- Paper-based forms
- Digital (Online) platforms
- In-person Interviews
Its self-administered format requires no specialized training for the proctor, although interpretation requires professional expertise.
Applications of the Jenkins Activity Survey – Form T (JAS-T)
The JAS-T serves multiple critical roles in behavioral research:
- Screening: It identifies students with significant Type A traits who may be at risk for stress-related health issues.
- Research: It is widely used in clinical trials and psychological studies to correlate personality traits with coronary heart disease risk.
For instance, its focus on “Academic Involvement” makes it uniquely suited for university counseling settings to address student burnout.
Language and availability
The JAS-T is available in specific languages to support cross-cultural research, including:
- English.
- Japanese.
This availability supports its use in diverse academic environments. However, the questionnaire operates under a proprietary license, meaning permission is required for use. Therefore, researchers must contact the MAPI Research Trust to obtain the necessary rights.
Reliability and Validity
The JAS-T is recognized as a highly reliable and valid instrument for assessing Type A behavior in its target demographic.
- Internal Consistency: The Type A scale demonstrates a strong Cronbach’s alpha of ≈ 0.85, indicating high reliability.
- Validation studies:
- The original validation study link.
- Reliability of the Jenkins Activity Survey-Form T: Temporal Stability and Internal Consistency link.
- The Japanese validation study link.
Limitations and Considerations
Despite its strengths, the JAS-T has a few limitations:
- Self-report Measure: As a self-report instrument, responses are susceptible to social desirability bias or personal interpretation, which can potentially skew the accuracy of the behavioral assessment.
- Length: The questionnaire is comparatively long, comprising 54 items that take approximately 15–30 minutes to administer, which may induce respondent fatigue.
- Cultural Bias: The conceptual definitions of competitiveness and urgency embedded in the scale may carry a degree of cultural bias, limiting its direct generalizability across diverse international populations without specific validation.
- Language Barriers: The original validation and most extensive literature primarily rely on the English version, meaning translation into other languages may introduce language barriers or subtle loss of construct meaning.
- Limited Validation Studies: Compared to some modern, widely used scales, the JAS-T may have a perception of limited validation studies regarding its contemporary predictive validity for health outcomes.
- Lack of Sensitivity to Change: Since the JAS-T measures stable personality traits, it exhibits a lack of sensitivity to change over short treatment periods, making it less ideal for monitoring immediate therapeutic progress.
- Narrow Focus: The instrument has a narrow focus, primarily assessing Type A behavior and its components, and consequently, it may not capture broader psychological factors relevant to student well-being.
- Age Restrictions: The instrument has age restrictions, specifically being designed for college-aged students and not suitable for pediatric populations.
- Scoring Complexity: The reliance on weighted scoring and sample-based classification thresholds adds a layer of complexity compared to simpler summation-based scales.
Other Versions And Related Questionnaires
Complementary Questionnaires
- Framingham Type A Scale: An alternative measure for Type A behavior.
- Structured Interview for Type A: The clinical interview standard that validates the JAS.
- Jenkins Activity Survey Forms A, B, C: Other iterations of the JAS designed for clinical (Form A) or general adult (Form B/C) populations.
- Pred, Spence & Helmreich Revised Form: A shorter adaptation of the JAS for quicker administration.
Additional Resources
For more information on the JAS-T and to access the full questionnaire, visit the following resources:
- Validation Study: A direct link to the Original Validation Study.
- Official Source: You can access the questionnaire details through this link.
- Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) Definition and Meaning.
- Inquiries: For licensing and permissions, contact the MAPI Research Trust.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who can use the JAS-T?
Clinicians, researchers, and university counselors use the JAS-T primarily for university and college students (approx. 18–24 years) to assess Type A behavior.
- How long does it take to complete the JAS-T?
Respondents typically take 15 to 30 minutes to complete the JAS-T, which allows for a deep dive into behavioral traits but requires adequate scheduling.
- How is the JAS-T administered?
Healthcare and research teams can administer the questionnaire via paper-based forms, digital platforms, or in-person interviews.
- Is there any cost to using the JAS-T?
Yes, the JAS-T is a proprietary tool. It requires permission for use, which must be obtained through the MAPI Research Trust.
A Word from ResRef about the Jenkins Activity Survey – Form T (JAS-T)
The JAST remains a historically significant, psychometrically solid tool for assessing Type A behavior in student populations. Indeed, its robust internal consistency and ease of administration suit large-scale research, yet proprietary licensing and self-report nature warrant caution. Moreover, Form T’s student-focused adaptation enhances relevance, however, contemporary applications should consider cultural and health-outcome validity limitations.
References
- Holden RR, Hickman D. Computerized versus standard administration of the Jenkins Activity Survey (Form T). J Human Stress. 1987 Winter;13(4):175-9. Link.
- Bishop, E. G., Hailey, B. J., & O’Rourke, D. F. (1989). Reliability of the Jenkins Activity Survey-Form T: Temporal Stability and Internal Consistency. Journal of Personality Assessment, 53(1), 60–65. Link.
- Hayano J, Takeuchi S, Yoshida S, Jozuka H, Mishima N, Fujinami T. Type A behavior pattern in Japanese employees: cross-cultural comparison of major factors in Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) responses. J Behav Med. 1989 Jun;12(3):219-31. Link.
