Hostility, Coping and Health

Psychological and psychosocial factors are linked to physical health. Research in this area includes the study of hostility/anger and health, and the relationship between anger and hypertension and/or heart disease. Treatment of hypertension is discussed with specific regard to cognitive therapy for control of anger and hypertension.

Chronic negative emotions and poor coping have been found to upset internal bodily equilibrium and increase the possibility of illness, however relationships among psychosocial factors and health are complex. Focus includes emotional and motivational aspects of stress such as hostility, type-A personality, physiological reactivity, anxiety and depression. A second focus includes coping with aspects such as appraisal processes, cognitive style, social support, social environment, hassels and self-disclosure.

Psychosocial disturbances effect the disease process through psychophysiological effects such as alterations in the nervous system, immune system and endocrine system. Hostility and poor coping can lead to behaviors such as smoking, overeating and abusing drugs. CNS-based temperament and socialization pressures are related to coping, hostility and health.

The study of hostility, coping and health includes retrospective self-reports which have proved to be inadequate. Sample behavior and feelings at random times are needed to provide an accurate description; longit

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ls of hostility. Other studies regarding psychological factors and autonomic recovery in hypertensives, also note that hypertension has been found to be correlated with a type-A behavior pattern, hyper-responses to psychological challenges and emotional expression with repressed hostility and retained expression of anger. Suppressed anger or hostility has been shown to be related to elevated resting blood pressure and elevated cortisol secretion. Results demonstrate that hostility scores are related to overall systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It is stated that "there is nothing benign about hypertension; all patients with an elevated arterial pressure (systolic or diastolic) are at increased risk for premature morbidity or mortality." Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in the United States and other nations. Contributions to epidemiology of atherosclerotic disease include changes in blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease risk factors. Adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors includes treatment of hypertension; recent evidence documents benefits of treating hypertension, engaging in regular exercise and smoking cessation for post-myocardial infarction patients. Psychological aspects

Category: Psychology - H