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Blood-pressure responses during social interaction in high- and low-cynically hostile males
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Insights
Individuals with high hostility show greater blood pressure increases during interpersonal stress. This suggests a physiological link between hostility and cardiovascular health risks.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- The Cook and Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale identifies individuals at risk for coronary heart disease and mortality.
- Elevated physiological reactivity in high-hostility individuals may mediate the link between hostility and adverse health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hostility levels and physiological responses (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate) during interpersonal stress.
- To examine differences in cardiovascular reactivity between high- and low-hostility undergraduate males during a discussion task.
Main Methods:
- Participants were categorized as high- or low-hostility based on the Cook and Medley Hostility Scale.
- Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured during a current events discussion task.
- Physiological responses were assessed while participants presented their views and listened to an opposing viewpoint.
Main Results:
- High-hostility subjects exhibited significantly larger SBP and DBP responses compared to low-hostility subjects.
- Heart rate (HR) responses did not significantly differ between the high- and low-hostility groups.
- These findings indicate heightened cardiovascular reactivity to interpersonal stressors in individuals with higher hostility.
Conclusions:
- Cynical hostility is associated with exaggerated physiological responses to interpersonal stressors.
- Hostility may contribute to cardiovascular disease development through increased physiological reactivity.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term health implications of hostility-related cardiovascular responses.
Abstract:
The Cook and Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale has been found to predict the development of coronary heart disease, coronary death, and death from other causes. Enhanced physiological responsiveness among high-Ho subjects may represent a link between hostility and health. The present study examined the systolic and diastolic blood-pressure (SBP, DBP) and heart-rate (HR) responses of high- and low-Ho undergraduate males while they presented their position and listened to their partner's opposing position in a current events discussion task. Compared to low-Ho subjects, the high-Ho group displayed larger SBP and DBP responses. These results and others suggest that cynical hostility is associated with greater physiological responses to interpersonal stressors.