EFFECTS OF ANGER HOSTILITY, DEFENSIVENESS, GENDER, AND FAMILY HISTORYOF HYPERTENSION ON CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY

In this study, we examined the combined effects of anger/hostility and defensiveness on reactivity to three stressors (math, handgrip, cold presser) and how these effects are moderated by gender and family hist ory of hypertension. The subjects were 209 college students. Low compa red with high Spielberger anger-out scores were associated with greate r diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity in low- but not high-defen sive women with a negative family history. High compared with low host ility scores were associated with greater heart rate reactivity in low -defensive men with an opposite effect in high-defensive men. Gender, family history, and defensiveness each affected differential DBP react ivity to the three tasks. Combined study of biological factors and cop ing styles can improve our understanding of cardiovascular reactivity and disease.