Higher cortisol levels predicted higher ambulatory blood pressure only in individuals exhibiting agonistic striving (interaction F(2, 91) = 6.72, p = .002).
Observational (n=198)
Does agonistic striving modify the association between cortisol levels and ambulatory blood pressure in young adults from disadvantaged neighborhoods?
Agonistic striving modifies the relationship between cortisol and blood pressure, suggesting a novel social-cognitive mechanism for cardiovascular risk.
Effect estimate: F(2, 91) = 6.72
p-value: p=.002
OBJECTIVE: A social action theory of chronic stress proposes that agonistic striving (seeking to influence or control others) impairs cardiovascular health by magnifying the impact of high adversity-induced cortisol levels on blood pressure. We tested three predictions of social action theory: (1) the social action theory taxonomy of regulatory strivings characterizes young adults from high-adversity neighborhoods; (2) high cortisol levels predict high blood pressure more reliably in the subgroup with the agonistic striving profile than in subgroups with other profiles; (3) the association of higher cortisol and higher blood pressure with agonistic striving is not explained by negative affect (depressive symptoms/dysphoria, anger, hostility). METHODS: Participants were young adults (N = 198, mean SD age = 32 3.4 years); 71% female; 65% black) from disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. Motive profiles (including agonistic strivings) were assessed using the Social Competence Interview. Cortisol levels were derived from saliva samples; blood pressure level was obtained during two days of ambulatory monitoring. Psychological measures of negative affect were assessed using questionnaires. RESULTS: The predicted taxonomy of regulatory strivings was replicated in this sample; the interaction between cortisol and motive profile was significant (F(2, 91) = 6.72, p = .002); analyses of simple effects disclosed that higher cortisol levels predicted higher ambulatory blood pressure only in individuals who exhibited agonistic striving. Depressive symptoms/dysphoria, trait anger, and hostility were not correlated with agonistic striving, cortisol, or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Agonistic striving may represent a distinctive (and novel) social-cognitive mechanism of toxic stress and cardiovascular risk.
Ewart et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in High blood pressure (n=198). Agonistic striving and high cortisol levels vs. Other motive profiles was evaluated on Ambulatory blood pressure (F(2, 91) = 6.72, p=.002). Higher cortisol levels predicted higher ambulatory blood pressure only in individuals exhibiting agonistic striving (interaction F(2, 91) = 6.72, p = .002).