Negative social interactions and incident hypertension among older adults.

Abstract

Objective To determine if negative social interactions are prospectively associated with hypertension among older adults. Methods This is a secondary analysis of data from the 2006 and 2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a survey of community-dwelling older adults (age >50). Total average negative social interactions were assessed at baseline by averaging the frequency of negative interactions across four domains (partner, children, other family, friends). Blood pressure was measured at both waves. Individuals were considered to have hypertension if they reported use of antihypertensive medications, had measured average resting systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg, or measured average resting diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg. Analyses excluded those hypertensive at baseline and controlled for demographics, personality, positive social interactions, and baseline health. Results Twenty-nine percent of participants developed hypertension over the four-year follow-up. Each one-unit increase in the total average negative social interaction score was associated with a 38% increased odds of developing hypertension. Sex moderated the association between total average negative social interactions and hypertension, with effects observed among women but not men. The association of total average negative interactions and hypertension in women was attributable primarily to interactions with friends, but also to negative interactions with family and partners. Age also moderated the association between total average negative social interactions and hypertension, with effects observed among those ages 51–64, but not those ages ≥65. Conclusion In this sample of older adults, negative social interactions were associated with increased hypertension risk in women and the youngest older adults.

Quality of relationships with parents and friends in adolescence predicts metabolic risk in young adulthood.

“…This study adds to the growing evidence that the effects of close relationship experiences on later mental and physical health may differ for men and women (e.g., Gustafsson et al, 2012; Shih et al, 2006; Sneed & Cohen, 2014; Vaughan, Foshee, & Ennett, 2010). We found evidence that both parent-adolescent relationships and friendship closeness with boys were predictors of metabolic risk for female but not male participants.…”

“…Further, some evidence suggests that women have stronger physiological responses to negative social experiences (e.g., Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001; Stroud, Salovey, & Epel, 2002). Recently, in a sample of older adults, Sneed and Cohen (2014) found that negative social interactions were associated with increased odds of developing hypertension across a four-year period for women but not for men. It may be that social experiences with parents and friends in adolescence are more likely to predict metabolic outcomes for women than men.…”

Maintaining older brain functionality: A targeted review

“…This holistic model also brings into question the possible negative effects of the downstream factors that may link networks to undesirable health outcomes (Sneed and Cohen, 2014).…”

Social Networks in Later Life

“…These studies typically include controls for sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, biological risk factors, and health behaviors. Some studies also control for depressive symptoms and traits such as neuroticism or hostility (e.g., DeVogli et al, 2007; Sneed & Cohen, 2014), making it unlikely that the effects of negative exchanges are an artifact of participants’ mental health or personality characteristics.…”