Anger expression and essential hypertension: behavioral response to confrontation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the range of anger-expressive behaviors and social competencies among essential hypertensive patients.


METHODS
Behavioral reactions to both neutral and anger-evoking role-play interactions were measured in 26 hypertensive and 15 normotensive patients. Social behaviors were assessed using self-report measures of anger expression, assertiveness, self- and other-ratings of social competence and behavioral measures of anger expression observed during role-play interactions.


RESULTS
Hypertensive patients showed less eye contact, used fewer positive assertive statements and were rated as being less assertive during confrontational role-play scenarios than normotensive controls. Hypertensive patients also exhibited higher pulse pressure reactions to confrontation than normotensives, particularly hypertensive patients who expressed anger overtly.


CONCLUSIONS
Essential hypertension is associated with specific social skill deficits that are only apparent during the assertive expression of anger.
Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, PO Box 6040, Morgantown, WV 26506-6040, USA. klarkin@mail.wvu.edu
Kevin T
KT
Larkin
Claudia
C
Zayfert
D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D001242:Assertiveness; D005260:Female; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012381:Role Playing; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012938:Social Perception; D014705:Verbal Behavior