Key result
Discussing a negative event with an ambivalent friend elicited greater systolic blood pressure reactivity and higher resting heart rate compared to a supportive friend.
Why the study?
Does discussing life events with an ambivalent friend increase cardiovascular reactivity in healthy adults compared to a supportive friend?
Observational (n=107)
Does discussing life events with an ambivalent friend increase cardiovascular reactivity in healthy adults compared to a supportive friend?
Interacting with ambivalent friends increases cardiovascular reactivity and resting heart rate compared to supportive friends, suggesting a physiological mechanism for how poor relationship quality negatively impacts cardiovascular health.
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Ambivalent friendships may heighten CV reactivity during stress; leaves open causal effects on long-term cardiovascular risk.
Holt‐Lunstad et al. (2007) conducted an observational in healthy adults (n=107). Ambivalent friend vs. Supportive friend was evaluated on Cardiovascular reactivity (systolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, respiratory sinus arrhythmia). Discussing a negative event with an ambivalent friend elicited greater systolic blood pressure reactivity and higher resting heart rate compared to a supportive friend.
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