February 1, 2009Annals of Behavioral Medicine253 citations
View Full PaperSocial Isolation and Stress-related Cardiovascular, Lipid, and Cortisol Responses
Key Result
Social isolation was associated with slower post-task recovery of systolic blood pressure, higher cholesterol response to stress in men, and larger cortisol awakening responses and output.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=238)
Structured PICO
Does social isolation affect cardiovascular, lipid, and cortisol responses to acute stress in healthy middle-aged adults?
P
Population
238 healthy middle-aged men and women from the Whitehall II cohort
I
Intervention
Social isolation (measured using an adapted version of the Close Persons Questionnaire)
C
Comparator
Lower levels of social isolation
O
Outcome
Cardiovascular and lipid responses to acute stress tasks, and salivary cortisol profiles over the daysurrogate
Social isolation may increase cardiovascular disease risk through stress-related dysregulation of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine processes.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social support is a strong and consistent predictor of health outcomes, and social isolation predicts increased morbidity and mortality. The mediating processes are not completely understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between social isolation and cardiovascular and lipid responses to acute stress in the laboratory, and cortisol profiles over the day. METHODS: Cardiovascular and lipid responses to acute stress tasks, and salivary cortisol monitoring, were carried out in 238 healthy middle-aged men and women from the Whitehall II cohort. Social isolation was measured using an adapted version of the Close Persons Questionnaire. RESULTS: Social isolation was associated with slower post-task recovery of systolic blood pressure in men and women, a higher cholesterol response to stress in men only, and also with larger cortisol awakening responses and greater cortisol output over the day in both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of social isolation on cardiovascular disease risk may be mediated through stress-related dysregulation of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine processes.