Social support and age-related differences in cardiovascular function: An examination of potential mediators

The investigators examined the potential influence of social support on age -related differences in resting cardiovascular function and the potential m ediators responsible for such associations in 67 normotensive women and men . Consistent with prior research, age predicted increased resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). More importantly, regression analyses revealed that social support moderated age-related diff erences in resting SEP and DBI: as age predicted higher resting blood press ure for individuals low in social support, but was unrelated to blood press ure for individuals high in social support. An examination of potential pat hways revealed that these results were not mediated by various health-relat ed variables, personality factors, or psychological processes. Implications for the study of social support and health are discussed.