Cardiovascular stress responses in young adulthood associated with family-of-origin relationship experiences.
OBJECTIVE
The impact of relationships within the family-of-origin on the development of physiological stress responses has significant consequences for long-term vulnerability to stress-related illness.


METHODS
The current study evaluated systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) responses to a challenge task in 150 young adults from families characterized by parental loss, divorce, or intact marriages.


RESULTS
Overall, higher-quality family relationships were associated with stronger recovery of SBP. For DBP and HR, interactions were found in which higher-quality family relationships were associated with stronger recovery in the loss group relative to the divorce and intact groups. Good support was found for a mediational model outlining self-regulatory abilities as a pathway linking family relationships to SBP reactivity and recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings provide further evidence that family-of-origin relationship experiences can affect cardiovascular responses to later-life stress.
Luecken
Linda J
LJ
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA. Linda.Luecken@asu.edu
Rodriguez
Anna P
AP
Appelhans
Bradley M
BM
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003971:Diastole; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013599:Systole