Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 29, 2026

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
11:13

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test

Published on: November 19, 2015

Increased psychosocial strain in Lithuanian versus Swedish men: the LiVicordia study

M Kristenson1, Z Kucinskienë, B Bergdahl

  • 1Department of Environment and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden.

Psychosomatic Medicine
|June 13, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Lithuanian men have higher coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality than Swedish men. This study found Lithuanian men exhibit more psychosocial risk factors, suggesting new explanations for CHD disparities.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychosocial Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates significantly differ between Lithuanian and Swedish 50-year-old men.
  • Standard risk factors do not fully account for the observed four-fold higher CHD mortality in Lithuania.

Observation:

  • The LiVicordia study surveyed 150 randomly selected 50-year-old men in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Linköping, Sweden.
  • A comprehensive assessment of psychosocial characteristics known to predict CHD was conducted.

Findings:

  • Vilnius men exhibited a cluster of unfavorable psychosocial risk factors compared to Linköping men, including higher job strain, lower social support, and reduced emotional support.
  • Lithuanian participants reported lower coping abilities, self-esteem, and sense of coherence, alongside higher vital exhaustion and depression.
  • Perceived health and quality of life were lower in Vilnius men, with higher expectations of future ill health.

Implications:

  • The identified psychosocial risk factors in Lithuanian men may offer novel explanations for the pronounced differences in CHD mortality between Lithuania and Sweden.
  • These findings highlight the critical role of psychosocial factors in cardiovascular health disparities and suggest potential targets for intervention.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

Social Defeat Stress Model for Adolescent C57BL/6 Male and Female Mice07:15

Social Defeat Stress Model for Adolescent C57BL/6 Male and Female Mice

Published on: March 15, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Relationship Formation02:12

Relationship Formation

What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
Close Relationships and Culture01:29

Close Relationships and Culture

Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...