Gender differences in the relation between interview-derived hostility scores and resting blood pressure

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Hostility is a personality trait linked to cardiovascular disease risk.
• Previous research suggests a gender-specific relationship between hostility and health outcomes.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between Structured Interview (SI)-derived hostility scores and resting blood pressure (BP).
• To determine if these correlations differ between healthy men and women.

Main Methods:

• 193 healthy undergraduates (109 men, 84 women) underwent a Structured Interview (SI).
• Measures included SI-derived hostility scores (Potential for Hostility, Hostile Style, Intensity, Content), Antagonism, Neuroticism scales, and resting blood pressure (BP).
• Regression analyses controlled for standard cardiovascular disease (CHD) risk factors.

Main Results:

• SI hostility scores correlated with higher resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) in men.
• In women, SI hostility scores correlated with lower resting SBP and higher Neuroticism.
• SI-derived hostility predicted resting SBP and hypertensive status in both genders, but in opposite directions.

Conclusions:

• Structured Interview-derived hostility may represent distinct constructs in men and women.
• The differing associations with blood pressure highlight potential gender-specific pathways linking hostility to cardiovascular risk.
• Further research is needed to elucidate these gender differences in hostility and cardiovascular health.