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Hostility, social support, and ambulatory cardiovascular activity
E G Benotsch1, A J Christensen, L McKelvey
1Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|April 1, 1997
Summary
High hostility levels are linked to elevated blood pressure in adults. Daily interpersonal stress partially explains this connection, highlighting a key factor in cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Hostility is a personality trait associated with adverse health outcomes.
- The transactional model suggests stress mediates the link between hostility and health.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between hostility levels and ambulatory blood pressure.
- To investigate the role of daily interpersonal stress as a mediator.
- To explore differences between male and female subjects.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 48 male and female students classified as high or low on the Cook-Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale.
- Measured ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate over a working day.
- Assessed perceived social support, daily interpersonal stress, and health behaviors.
Main Results:
- High hostility subjects exhibited higher mean ambulatory systolic blood pressure than low hostility subjects.
- High hostility subjects reported increased daily interpersonal stress and lower social support.
- Daily interpersonal stress partially mediated the association between hostility and blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Hostility is independently associated with elevated ambulatory systolic blood pressure.
- Daily interpersonal stress plays a significant role in the hostility-blood pressure relationship.
- Findings support the transactional model of hostility and health.