Relationship of eight basic emotions, life needs satisfaction and Type A behavior with body mass index and some biochemical characteristics in healthy blue-collar workers.

ABSTRACT

Studies of the relationship of eight basic emotion dimensions according to Plutchik, life needs satisfaction and Type A behavior with plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations, and body mass index (BMI) were performed in 137 healthy blue-collar workers. Plasma cholesterol correlated positively with emotion dimensions of destruction and deprivation (r = +0.18, +0.21; p < 0.05) and negatively with the components of love in EPI (reproduction and incorporation; r = -0.24, -0.25; p < 0.01) and life needs satisfaction (family relationships, relationship with friends; r = -0.20, -0.17; p < 0.05). Triglycerides correlated negatively with satisfaction of life needs concerning health, family and friend relationships (r = -0.20, -0.20, 0.25; p < 0.05). Plasma glucose correlated positively with emotions of destruction and orientation (r = +0.22, +0.20; p < 0.05), and negatively with incorporation and reproduction (r = -0.22, -0.24; p < 0.01). BMI correlated positively with plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations (r = +0.37, +0.40, +0.24; p < 0.01), and emotion of deprivation (r = +0.21; p < 0.01). Results of the study suggested the successful approach to the prevention of coronary heart disease to be related with certain basic emotions, life needs satisfaction and BMI.