Vigilance, active coping, and cardiovascular reactivity during social interaction in young men

This study of 72 undergraduate men examined the effects of two determinants of cardiovascular response-active coping and vigilance-on blood pressure a nd heart rate responses to social stressors. Observation of a future debate partner (i.e., vigilance) evoked larger increases in blood pressure than d id observation of a less relevant person, apparently through the combinatio n of increases in cardiac output and vascular resistance. Preparation and e nactment of efforts to exert social influence (i.e., active coping) evoked heightened blood pressure and heart rate responses through increased cardia c contractility and output. Thus, both vigilance and active coping in socia l contexts increased cardiovascular reactivity, but apparently through diff erent psychophysiological processes.