Negative affect, gender, and expressive style predict elevated ambulatory blood pressure in adolescents.
Excessive blood pressure elevations during daily activities increase cardiovascular risk and may be related to individual differences in emotionality and expressive style. Emotional traits and ambulatory blood pressure were measured during a typical school day in 228 Black and White adolescents at risk of developing essential hypertension. Trait affect (depression, anger) predicted prevailing blood pressure levels; this association was moderated by gender, social setting (in classroom vs. with friends), and nonverbal expressive style. Relationships between emotion and blood pressure were not explained by obesity, smoking, or alcohol use. The uniform environment and regimen of the school made it possible to attribute variations in prevailing blood pressure to personality differences involving ways adolescents perceive and negotiate their social world.
Ewart
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Health Services R & D Center, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Kolodner
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KB
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D000786:Anger; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics