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Cardiovascular reactivity and positive/negative affect during conversations
1University of New Hampshire, Durham 03824, USA.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Blood pressure (BP) increased during conversations, linked to positive emotions, not distress. Cardiovascular reactivity during social interactions in young adults may be normal.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Social Interaction Research
Background:
- Blood pressure (BP) changes during social interactions are common.
- The relationship between BP reactivity and emotional affect requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) changes during dyadic conversations.
- To determine the association between BP reactivity and self-reported positive and negative affect.
- To assess the reliability of resting BP measurements.
Main Methods:
- Measured SBP and DBP in 70 college students before, during, and after conversations.
- Participants reported positive and negative affect experienced during conversations.
- Utilized hierarchical regression to analyze relationships between BP reactivity, affect, and other variables.
Main Results:
- SBP and DBP significantly increased from baseline during conversations.
- Increased BP was associated with positive affect, but not negative affect.
- BP measures from a week later were better indicators of resting levels.
- The link between BP reactivity and positive affect persisted after controlling for covariates.
Conclusions:
- Elevated blood pressure during social interaction may reflect engagement or enthusiasm, not distress.
- This association is independent of talkativeness.
- Cardiovascular reactivity in non-threatening social contexts may be a common, non-pathological phenomenon in healthy young adults.