Understanding hypertensives' behaviour. II: Perceived social approval and blood pressure reactivity

The influence of perceived social approval on blood pressure reactivity was investigated in two stages. Initially, a new procedure was devised to measure the reaction to initial stimuli in subjects where base rate determination had not occurred. Minimal public self disclosure was shown to have a greater pressor effect for borderline hypertensives than normotensives. The two groups remained clearly distinguishable after exercise. Perceived level of social approval on physiological response in two groups of reactive borderline hypertensives was then investigated in the laboratory. Blood pressure level rose during an arithmetic task for all subjects. A large increase in blood pressure variability was specific to the self disclosure task and only for those who perceived low social approval. The ramifications are discussed.