ORIGINAL PAPER
Relationship between blood pressure and psychological features of experience and behaviour among teachers
1
DPFA University of Applied Sciences Saxony, Germany
2
University of Mainz, Germany
3
University of Leipzig, Germany
4
University of Evora, Portugal
5
Islamic University of Indonesia, Indonesia
Submission date: 2015-10-29
Final revision date: 2015-12-18
Acceptance date: 2015-12-18
Online publication date: 2016-01-20
Publication date: 2016-01-21
Health Psychology Report 2016;4(2):128-136
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background
Relationships between psychological features and psychophysical parameters, such as blood pressure, have a high relevance in research on coping with stress. We want to investigate the correlation between blood pressure and these psychological features.
Participants and procedure
We investigated 79 teachers from high schools and secondary schools in and around Leipzig, Germany. Using the systolic blood pressure as an indicator, we formed three groups: hypotensive, normotensive, and hypertensive. We assessed several psychological health dependent variables and looked for differences between these groups (χ2 test).
Results
Hypotensive subjects experienced more stress and less planning and goal behaviour. Furthermore, they more often used physical exercises in order to increase their social well-being. Hypertensive subjects, on the other hand, were driven by fear of loss of control and showed a higher sense of feeling threatened.
Conclusions
We found for each group different relationships that are highly relevant to health. This result shows how psychological features and physiological regulation mechanisms are linked.
Relationships between psychological features and psychophysical parameters, such as blood pressure, have a high relevance in research on coping with stress. We want to investigate the correlation between blood pressure and these psychological features.
Participants and procedure
We investigated 79 teachers from high schools and secondary schools in and around Leipzig, Germany. Using the systolic blood pressure as an indicator, we formed three groups: hypotensive, normotensive, and hypertensive. We assessed several psychological health dependent variables and looked for differences between these groups (χ2 test).
Results
Hypotensive subjects experienced more stress and less planning and goal behaviour. Furthermore, they more often used physical exercises in order to increase their social well-being. Hypertensive subjects, on the other hand, were driven by fear of loss of control and showed a higher sense of feeling threatened.
Conclusions
We found for each group different relationships that are highly relevant to health. This result shows how psychological features and physiological regulation mechanisms are linked.
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