A Friend in a High Place: Social Support and Its Moderating Effect on the Association Between Negative Interpersonal Interactions and Ambulatory Blood Pressure
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
Ambulatory blood pressure; social interactions; ecological momentary assessment; social support
Department
Psychology
Major
Psychology
Abstract
Background: Studies have found an association between negative social interactions (i.e., interactions perceived as unpleasant or unfair; Andersson & Pearson, 1999) and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). However, few have investigated the effects of day-to-day negative interpersonal interactions on ABP. Moreover, moderators underlying this relationship are underexplored.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between momentary negative interpersonal interactions and ABP. Social support was tested as a moderator.
Methods: A sample of 53 healthy African American emerging adults completed a baseline survey (including the Social Provisions Scale; Cutrona & Russell, 1987), four days of ABP monitoring, and four days of hourly ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in which they reported on various aspects of their social interactions.
Results: Mixed modeling controlling for age, gender, income, and ABP momentary covariates (posture, temperature comfort, movement) found that the association between negative social interactions and ABP was moderated by perceived baseline social support (systolic ABP p = .004 and diastolic ABP p = .005). For diastolic ABP, negative social interactions did not influence the ABP of those who reported having high social support but marginally increased the ABP of those who reported having low social support (b = 0.87, p = .053). For systolic ABP, negative social interactions did not influence the ABP of those who reported having low social support but decreased the ABP of those who reported having high social support (b = -1.65, p = .012).
Conclusions: As expected, increasingly negative interpersonal interactions are associated with higher diastolic ABP. Unexpectedly, we found that more negative interpersonal interactions are associated with lower systolic BP among those with high social support. To better understand the mechanisms underlying this discrepancy, we recommend exploring other psychosocial factors that may moderate the relationship between interpersonal interactions and ABP.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Nataria T. Joseph
Funding Source or Research Program
Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
22-3-2024 1:30 PM
End Date
22-3-2024 2:30 PM
A Friend in a High Place: Social Support and Its Moderating Effect on the Association Between Negative Interpersonal Interactions and Ambulatory Blood Pressure
Waves Cafeteria
Background: Studies have found an association between negative social interactions (i.e., interactions perceived as unpleasant or unfair; Andersson & Pearson, 1999) and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). However, few have investigated the effects of day-to-day negative interpersonal interactions on ABP. Moreover, moderators underlying this relationship are underexplored.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between momentary negative interpersonal interactions and ABP. Social support was tested as a moderator.
Methods: A sample of 53 healthy African American emerging adults completed a baseline survey (including the Social Provisions Scale; Cutrona & Russell, 1987), four days of ABP monitoring, and four days of hourly ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in which they reported on various aspects of their social interactions.
Results: Mixed modeling controlling for age, gender, income, and ABP momentary covariates (posture, temperature comfort, movement) found that the association between negative social interactions and ABP was moderated by perceived baseline social support (systolic ABP p = .004 and diastolic ABP p = .005). For diastolic ABP, negative social interactions did not influence the ABP of those who reported having high social support but marginally increased the ABP of those who reported having low social support (b = 0.87, p = .053). For systolic ABP, negative social interactions did not influence the ABP of those who reported having low social support but decreased the ABP of those who reported having high social support (b = -1.65, p = .012).
Conclusions: As expected, increasingly negative interpersonal interactions are associated with higher diastolic ABP. Unexpectedly, we found that more negative interpersonal interactions are associated with lower systolic BP among those with high social support. To better understand the mechanisms underlying this discrepancy, we recommend exploring other psychosocial factors that may moderate the relationship between interpersonal interactions and ABP.