Publication Abstract Display
Type: Published Manuscript
Title: Emotional expressiveness, hostility and blood pressure in a longitudinal cohort of Alzheimer caregivers.
Authors: Shaw WS, Patterson TL, Semple SJ, Dimsdale JE, Ziegler MG, Grant I
Year: 2003
Publication: Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Pages: 293-302
Abstract:OBJECTIVE: To assess the interactive effect of chronic stress and emotional expressiveness (EE) on blood pressure (BP) in older adults. METHOD: Among spousal caregivers (n=111) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, BP was assessed at home by a visiting nurse every 6 months for 7 years. Caregiving demands, EE, social desirability and hostility were also assessed. RESULTS: State hostility was more prevalent among newer caregivers and those encountering more dementia problem behaviors and ADL limitations but unrelated to BP or BP change (P>.05). In a cross-sectional analysis, higher diastolic BP was associated with more spousal problem behaviors and being less emotionally expressive (P<.05). Longitudinal (growth curve analysis) increases in diastolic BP were predicted by providing more spousal ADL assistance (P<.05) but not by EE. CONCLUSION: Both caregiving stress and low EE may contribute independently to hypertension risk in the elderly.

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