Family history of hypertension effects on blood pressure and personality measures
Open Access
Author:
Cognetti, Matthew John
Area of Honors:
Biobehavioral Health
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
William Gerin, Thesis Supervisor David John Vandenbergh, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Family history of hypertension rumination blood pressure stress response biobehavioral health BBH
Abstract:
Objective: To assess the influence of parental history of hypertension on rumination, social support, loneliness, anxiety, and blood pressure during the stress response.
Design: One hundred and eighty five undergraduates underwent an emotional recall task. Personality was assessed at baseline, and blood pressure was assessed during baseline, reactivity, recall, and recovery.
Methods: Family history groups were assessed with t-tests on our BP and personality measures. A univariate ANOVA was used to measure the effects of a gender and family history interaction.
Results: No differences between groups were found on anxiety, loneliness, social support, and blood pressure measures. A small effect was found between rumination and family history groups.
Conclusion: Rumination may play a role in the longer recovery typically seen in individuals with a family history of hypertension.
