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Habitual anger-coping styles: I. Effect on mean blood pressure and risk for essential hypertension.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gentry, WD; Chesney, AP; Gary, HE; Hall, RP; Harburg, E
Published in: Psychosom Med
May 1982

In this study we examined the effect(s) of race, sex socioecological stress, and habitual anger-coping systolic/diastolic blood pressure levels and risk for being classified hypotensive. A total of 495 black/white males and 511 black/white females, residing in high/low stress areas of Detroit, were classified in terms of high, medium, and low levels of anger expression to various provocative interpersonal situations. Results indicated that: 1) race and anger expression were major determinants of diastolic pressure; 2) race and sex influence systolic pressure; 3) anger expression was related to systolic pressure, but only for female respondents; 4) all four behavioral factors were independently related to one's relative risk of being labeled hypertensive; and 5) the odds of being hypertensive by a multiple 1.56 with the addition of each behavioral risk factor. These findings extended our understanding of both the important role played by sociodemographic factors and socioecological niche in predisposing humans to vascular disease and the magnitude of difference in mean blood pressure and risk for hypertension attributable to chronic suppressed anger. The present finding also provide a basis for identifying subgroups of individuals who are especially at risk for hypertension and, similarly, a basis on which to calculate the amount of potential therapeutic benefit resulting from attempts at modifying one or more risk factors.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Psychosom Med

DOI

ISSN

0033-3174

Publication Date

May 1982

Volume

44

Issue

2

Start / End Page

195 / 202

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Systole
  • Risk
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Diastole
  • Blood Pressure
 

Citation

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Chicago
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Gentry, W. D., Chesney, A. P., Gary, H. E., Hall, R. P., & Harburg, E. (1982). Habitual anger-coping styles: I. Effect on mean blood pressure and risk for essential hypertension. Psychosom Med, 44(2), 195–202. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198205000-00005
Gentry, W. D., A. P. Chesney, H. E. Gary, R. P. Hall, and E. Harburg. “Habitual anger-coping styles: I. Effect on mean blood pressure and risk for essential hypertension.Psychosom Med 44, no. 2 (May 1982): 195–202. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006842-198205000-00005.
Gentry WD, Chesney AP, Gary HE, Hall RP, Harburg E. Habitual anger-coping styles: I. Effect on mean blood pressure and risk for essential hypertension. Psychosom Med. 1982 May;44(2):195–202.
Gentry, W. D., et al. “Habitual anger-coping styles: I. Effect on mean blood pressure and risk for essential hypertension.Psychosom Med, vol. 44, no. 2, May 1982, pp. 195–202. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/00006842-198205000-00005.
Gentry WD, Chesney AP, Gary HE, Hall RP, Harburg E. Habitual anger-coping styles: I. Effect on mean blood pressure and risk for essential hypertension. Psychosom Med. 1982 May;44(2):195–202.

Published In

Psychosom Med

DOI

ISSN

0033-3174

Publication Date

May 1982

Volume

44

Issue

2

Start / End Page

195 / 202

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Systole
  • Risk
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Diastole
  • Blood Pressure