title: Effects of naltrexone on repressive coping and disclosure of emotional material: a test of the opioid-peptide hypothesis of repression and hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to assess the role of endogenous opioids in the relationship of hypertension to repressive coping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten hypertensive and 8 normotensive males were given either the opioid antagonist naltrexone or placebo in a randomized, double-blind fashion over the course of four laboratory sessions. Measures of repression and disclosure were completed and blood pressure was assessed during a laboratory stressor protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Opioid antagonism reduced repression and increased disclosure only in the hypertensive group. Also, opioid antagonism increased stress-related systolic blood pressure only in the hypertensive group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results support the hypothesis that endogenous opioid dysregulation underlies both hypertension and repressive phenomena.
authors.affiliation: Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Pain Research, MC 5747, 780 Welch Rd., Suite 208, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. jyounger@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Jarred W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Younger
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lawler-Row
authors.forename: Krista A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Moe
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kratz
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Keenum
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000502:physiology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D009271:Naltrexone