title: Anger is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in low SES but not in higher SES men and women. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
abstract: We investigated the associations of anger and cynicism with carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and whether these associations were moderated by childhood or adulthood socioeconomic status (SES). The participants were 647 men and 893 women derived from the population-based Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Childhood SES was measured in 1980 when the participants were aged 3-18. In 2001, adulthood SES, anger, cynicism, and IMT were measured. There were no associations between anger or cynicism and IMT in the entire population, but anger was associated with thicker IMT in participants who had experienced low SES in childhood. This association persisted after adjustment for a host of cardiovascular risk factors. It is concluded that the ill health-effects of psychological factors such as anger may be more pronounced in individuals who have been exposed to adverse socioeconomic circumstances early in life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merjonen
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pulkki-Råback
authors.forename: Sampsa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puttonen
authors.forename: Pertti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Keskivaara
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juonala
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Telama
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viikari
authors.forename: Olli T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Raitakari
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Keltikangas-Järvinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000786:Anger; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult