January 1, 2003Open Access
View Full PaperDefensiveness and 3-year Blood Pressure levels among young adults: The mediating effect of stress-reactivity
Key Result
High defensiveness was associated with higher blood pressure during reactivity tasks and on Year 3 ambulatory measures compared to low defensiveness, mediated by stress-reactivity.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=125)
Structured PICO
Does high defensiveness increase 3-year ambulatory blood pressure levels in young adults?
P
Population
125 male and female participants (mean age 29.1 years) followed for 3 years to assess the relationship between defensiveness, stress-reactivity, and ambulatory blood pressure.
E
Exposure
High defensiveness (psychological trait exposure)
C
Comparator
Low defensiveness
O
Outcome
3-year ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levelssurrogate
High defensiveness is associated with increased ambulatory blood pressure over 3 years, a relationship that is mediated by stress-reactivity.
Abstract
Stress-reactivity has long been proposed to act as a possible mechanism linking psychological factors and increases in blood pressure (BP). This study used results from an intensive cardiovascular investigation to examine the mediating role of reactivity in the relationship between defensiveness and 3-year ambulatory BP levels. A total of 125 male and female participants (M = 29.1 years) completed a protocol including laboratory reactivity testing, 8- to 12-hr ambulatory BP monitoring, and standardized response style instruments. Further, participants returned 3 years later for an identical second test protocol. Results indicated that high- and low-defensiveness participants did not differ on Year 1 BP, but the high-defensiveness group showed higher BP during the reactivity tasks and on Year 3 ambulatory measures. Statistical mediation testing supported reactivity levels as an intervening mechanism between defensiveness and 3-year BP levels.