Effects of psychological distress on blood pressure in adolescents.
This cross-sectional survey measured relationships among blood pressure and measures of psychologic distress, family structure, and economic status in a sample of adolescents exposed to Hurricane Hugo. Spielberger's Anger Scale and Derogatis' Brief Symptom Inventory were used. Data analysis revealed 5% of the 1079 adolescents were hypertensive. Multiple regression analyses revealed the following predictors of higher diastolic blood pressure: African-American race, recipient of subsidized lunch, exposure to Hurricane Hugo, and higher anger-in scores in males. The effects of a catastrophic event such as a hurricane on blood pressure and the effects of introjected anger have implications for both health care consumers and providers.
Weinrich
S
S
School of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
Weinrich
M
M
Hardin
S
S
Gleaton
J
J
Pesut
D J
DJ
Garrison
C
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000786:Anger; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013022:South Carolina; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology