Perceived Control and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Perceived control, an individual's belief in their ability to influence life events, is linked to reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• Existing research suggests a connection between perceived control and blood pressure, a primary CVD risk factor.
• Methodological inconsistencies in defining and measuring perceived control hinder a clear understanding of its impact on blood pressure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the association between perceived control and blood pressure.
• To integrate findings across various control-related constructs for a comprehensive understanding of their relationship with blood pressure.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across five databases.
• Data from 24 quantitative studies examining perceived control and blood pressure were extracted and narratively synthesized.

Main Results:

• Limited evidence indicates a negative association between perceived control and both resting and ambulatory blood pressure.
• No reviewed studies found perceived control to be associated with lower blood pressure reactivity to laboratory stressors.

Conclusions:

• Perceived control shows preliminary evidence of being a protective factor against high blood pressure.
• Further high-quality research is necessary to thoroughly investigate the link between perceived control and blood pressure.
• Recommendations for future research directions are provided.