Mood state and cardiovascular response in active coping with an affect-regulative challenge

We investigated the impact of mood states and task valence on cardiovascular reactivity in active coping. According to previous research, subjective demand is higher in a negative mood than in a positive mood, and cardiovascular adjustments are a function of subjective demand. Thus, we expected stronger cardiovascular reactivity in a negative mood than in a positive mood during task performance. University students (n=60) were first induced into either a positive or negative mood state via exposure to music. They then performed either a pleasant or unpleasant scenario completion task that provided opportunities for mood regulation. No effects were found on cardiovascular reactivity during the mood inductions. However, during task performance, systolic and diastolic blood pressure reactivity was stronger in a negative than in a positive mood. Task valence, which was successfully manipulated according to a verbal manipulation check, and post-performance mood changes had no significant impact. Results are interpreted as a further demonstration of the impact of mood valence on cardiovascular reactivity in active coping.