RESUMEN
Few studies of psychological interventions for essential hypertension have incorporated comprehensive coping skills treatment programs, evaluated the efficacy of such programs against credible, minimally effective controls, examined the effects of these interventions on pressor responses, or clarified the nature of person by treatment interactions. The present study examined the relative effectiveness of multimodal stress management training and a minimally effective treatment control (i.e. GSR biofeedback training) in the treatment of essential hypertensives' blood pressure at rest and in response to simulated stressful interpersonal situations. At the conclusion of an 8 week training period, stress management participants exhibited reliably lower resting diastolic blood pressure and tended to exhibit lower systolic pressure than controls. The former condition maintained their lower pressures through a 6-month follow-up period, but decreases in controls over follow-up rendered the conditions equivalent in blood pressure. No differences between conditions emerged in analyses on pressor responses. Stress management training was somewhat more effective for individuals scoring low rather than high on measures of trait anxiety and irritability.
Asunto(s)
Nivel de Alerta , Biorretroalimentación Psicológica , Hipertensión/terapia , Adulto , Presión Sanguínea , Femenino , Respuesta Galvánica de la Piel , Humanos , Hipertensión/psicología , Individualidad , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Relajación MuscularRESUMEN
The present investigation sought to identify the principal dimensions of the Framingham Type A scale (FTAS) and then to examine their physiological and psychological correlates. A factor analysis of the FTAS items, which was cross-validated, revealed two factors. Items concerning achievement and competitive-striving loaded primarily on the first factor. Scores on a subscale composed of these items (labeled Competitive Drive) were related to systolic blood pressure reactivity during an interpersonal task but were unrelated to anxiety. FTAS items concerning impatient, time urgent, and domineering propensities loaded primarily on the second factor. Scores on a subscale composed of these items (labeled Speed and Impatience) were not related to cardiovascular reactivity during the task but were related to anxiety. Results are discussed in terms of the psychological heterogeneity of the Type A behavior pattern and possible differences between dimensions of the overall Type A pattern and their association with different manifestations of coronary heart disease.
Asunto(s)
Ansiedad , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Cardiovasculares , Personalidad Tipo A , Logro , Presión Sanguínea , Conducta Competitiva , Enfermedad Coronaria/etiología , Emociones , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , PsicofisiologíaAsunto(s)
Ansiedad/fisiopatología , Dedos/irrigación sanguínea , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Pulso Arterial , Flujo Sanguíneo RegionalRESUMEN
Previous evaluations of the psychometric properties of available measures of irrational beliefs have failed to examine the discriminant validity of these instruments. The present investigation (N = 142) of the relationship between measures of irrational beliefs and trait anxiety provided evidence of discriminant validity for one frequently used measure of irrational beliefs (Rational Behavior Inventory), but failed to provide such evidence for perhaps the most popular measure of irrational beliefs (Irrational Beliefs Test). Both measures of beliefs were correlated more highly with cognitive features of trait anxiety than with somatic aspects.
Asunto(s)
Ansiedad/psicología , Disposición en Psicología , Pensamiento , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Inventario de Personalidad , Psicometría , Factores SexualesRESUMEN
The present study examined the relations between the Framingham Type A Scale and measures of trait anxiety, irrational beliefs, and self-control in a sample of healthy young adults. Furthermore, the obtained relationships were contrasted with those between two other self-report measures of the Type A pattern and the above psychological dimensions. Results indicated that the Framingham Scale consistently exhibited positive relations with anxiety and general irrational thinking and a negative relation with self-control. The Jenkins Activity Survey and Thurstone Activity Scale generally were unrelated to these dimensions. Results indicate the psychological heterogeneity of the Type A measures and suggest a possible link between Framingham scores, anxiety, and manifestations of CHD.