GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATION BETWEEN INTERVIEW-DERIVED HOSTILITY SCORES AND RESTING BLOOD-PRESSURE

We examined the correlations between Structured Interview (SI)-derived hostility scores and resting blood pressure (BP) to see if they would be the same or different for healthy men and women. Standard risk fac tor information and resting BP measures were obtained from 193 undergr aduates (109 men, 84 women), who underwent the SI. Subjects were rated for Potential for Hostility, Hostile Style, Intensity and Content, an d completed Antagonism and Neuroticism scales. As expected, SI hostili ty scores were related to higher resting SBP in men, however, in women , they were related to lower resting SBP and Neuroticism. Regression a nalyses controlling for standard CHD risk factors indicated that SI-de rived hostility predicted resting SBP and hypertensive status in both men and women, though in opposite directions. Thus, SI-derived hostili ty may assess a different construct in women than in men.