Personality traits and behavioral patterns associated with systolic blood pressure levels in college males

Abstract

1. 1. Seventy-four young white male college students (out of an original pool of 800 examined) were selected for having high or low systolic readings taken on a registration line. These students were then classified according to their paired casual, usual, and sustained levels of systolic blood pressure. Of 21 persons with a high paired casual systolic blood pressure (two independent determinations in excess of 140 mm Hg), 16 were also characterized as belonging to a `usual high' group (blood pressure in excess of 131 mm on resting and repeated home readings). A `sustained' high blood pressure group (n = 11) was further obtained by selecting those who were `high' on their paired casual and their `usual' blood pressure levels. These blood pressure patterns were then related with self ratings on the Cattell 16 PF questionnaire.2. 2. A consistent elevation to the upper range of normal in the systolic blood pressure of these college males was associated with `submissiveness' and `sensitivity' as defined by Cattell's 16 PF questionnaire. Subjects with `high paired casual' systolic blood pressures described themselves as motivated to obtain social contacts, but in a `sensitive' and `anxious' manner.3. 3. Subjects who were later selected for having a single high systolic blood pressure reading taken on first entering the physician's office (their second casual reading) tended more frequently to yield in an argument and then afterwards to change their private opinions toward agreement with partners who had an initially low systolic reading.4. 4. Whereas obesity was highly correlated with higher systolic levels, the psychological correlates of obesity were different from those related to elevated `casual' or `sustained' blood pressure. Obese subjects in this population appeared to be physically active, and more confident, though somewhat anxious under the stress of school examinations.