We propose to investigate the relationship of cognitive factors, specially pessimistic attributional style, to cardiovascular and neuroendocrine reactivity at rest, in response to and during recovery from laboratory and natural life stressors. A bi-racial sample of 80 postmenopausal women (age 40-69) and 40 aged-matched men will be recruited to participate. Blood pressure and its hemodynamic components (stroke volume, total peripheral resistance) will be measured during a laboratory protocol consisting of resting baseline, three stressor tasks (speech, mental arithmetic, and cold pressor ice tasks) and recovery periods. Plasma catecholamines and cortisol will also be measured at baseline and during stressors. The relationship of attributional style to blood pressure and neuroendocrine parameters will be assessed, controlling for variables quantifying demographic information and known risk factors for hypertension (socioeconomic status, parental history of hypertension). The association of attributional style with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and urinary cortisol measurements will also be assessed.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31MH012094-02
Application #
2890073
Study Section
Health Behavior and Prevention Review Committee (HBPR)
Program Officer
Altman, Fred
Project Start
1999-07-01
Project End
Budget Start
1999-07-01
Budget End
2000-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599