RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) does not occur until mid to late life for most adults, the presence of risk factors, such as high blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol, has increased dramatically in young adults. PURPOSE: The present study examined the relationships between gender and coping strategies, lifestyle behaviors, and cardiovascular risks. METHOD: The sample consisted of 297 (71% female) university students. Participants completed a survey to assess demographics, lifestyle behaviors, and coping strategies, and a physiological assessment including lipid and blood pressure (BP) measurements. Data collection occurred from January 2007 to May 2008. RESULTS: Analyses revealed that age, ethnicity, greater body mass index (BMI), greater use of social support, and less frequent exercise were associated with higher cholesterol, while gender, age, greater BMI, and less frequent exercise were associated with higher systolic BP. There were two significant interactions: one between gender and avoidant coping and the other between gender and exercise on systolic BP, such that for men greater use of avoidant coping or exercise was associated with lower systolic BP. CONCLUSION: Understanding how young adults manage their demands and cope with stress sets the stage for understanding the developmental process of CVD. Both coping strategies and lifestyle behaviors must be considered in appraising gender-related cardiovascular risk at an early age before the disease process has begun.
Assuntos
Adaptação Psicológica , Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Estilo de Vida , Caracteres Sexuais , Adulto , Pressão Sanguínea/fisiologia , Índice de Massa Corporal , Doenças Cardiovasculares/psicologia , Exercício Físico/fisiologia , Exercício Físico/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hipercolesterolemia/complicações , Hipercolesterolemia/psicologia , Hipertensão/complicações , Hipertensão/psicologia , Masculino , Fatores de Risco , Adulto JovemRESUMO
This study examined the relationship between Type D personality and heart rate variability (HRV) during three guided imagery experiences (baseline, stressful, and uplifting) in a non-medical sample. The interaction between African-American ethnicity and Type D personality was predictive of both low and high frequency HRV during stressful imagery experiences. The importance of identifying group influences when assessing psychological and cardiovascular health was discussed.