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Interpersonal control and cardiovascular reactivity: goals, behavioral expression, and the moderating effects of sex

T W Smith1, J P Limon, L C Gallo

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA. tsmith@psych.utah.edu

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|May 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Social stressors impact cardiovascular reactivity (CVR). Men

Area of Science:

  • Psychophysiology
  • Social Psychology
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease development is linked to stress responses.
  • Short-term changes in blood pressure and heart rate (cardiovascular reactivity [CVR]) due to social stressors are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the independent effects of social influence incentives and controlling behaviors on CVR.
  • To investigate sex differences in cardiovascular responses to social stressors.

Main Methods:

  • 96 undergraduates participated in the study.
  • Participants underwent conditions involving incentives for interpersonal influence and the expression of socially controlling behaviors.
  • Blood pressure and heart rate changes (CVR) were measured.

Main Results:

  • For men, both the incentive to exert influence and controlling behaviors increased systolic blood pressure.
  • For women, the incentive to be influential increased CVR, but a cooperative role produced the largest blood pressure increases.
  • Significant sex differences in CVR were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Social stressors differentially affect cardiovascular reactivity in men and women.
  • Interpersonal dynamics, including influence and control, play a role in psychophysiological responses.
  • Further research into sex differences and interpersonal approaches is warranted for understanding cardiovascular mechanisms.

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