RACE AND SEX-DIFFERENCES IN HEALTH LOCUS OF CONTROL BELIEFS AND CARDIOVASCULAR REACTIVITY

Examined the effects of race, sex, health locus of control (HLC), and the interactions of these variables on cardiovascular reactivity in 21 4 children. Participants completed the Multidimensional HLC scales for children. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured at res t and during a reactivity task. Black boys had significantly higher sc ores on the powerful others (external HLC) subscale (p < 0.01) than wh ite boys and girls. Furthermore, black boys showed greater systolic bl ood pressure reactivity when they were low on internality (vs. high) a s compared to the other race-sex groups. Social and cultural factors m ay explain these differential findings across race and sex.