Specific dimensions of perceived support and ambulatory blood pressure: Which support functions appear most beneficial and for whom?

Abstract

Perceived support has been related to lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the specific functional components of support responsible for such links. We tested if emotional, informational, tangible, and belonging support predicted ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and interpersonal interactions (e.g., responsiveness), and if such links were moderated by gender. In this study, 94 married couples underwent 12 hours of ABP monitoring during daily life which included a night at home with their spouse. They completed a short-form of the interpersonal support evaluation list that provides information on total (global) support, as well as specific dimensions of support. Results revealed that global support scores did not predict ABP during daily life. However, separating out distinct support components revealed that emotional support was a significant predictor of lower ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure, primarily for women. Finally, emotional support predicted greater partner responsiveness and self-disclosure, along with less perceived partner negativity although these results were not moderated by gender. These data are discussed in terms of the importance of considering specific support components and the contextual processes that might influence such links.

Relevancia de la menopausia y del apoyo social en las diferencias en salud entre mujeres y hombres

“…En los hombres, el efecto protector del apoyo social parece limitarse al insomnio y las palpitaciones. También en otros estudios se ha encontrado que el apoyo social percibido, sobre todo el emocional, se asocia con menor patología cardiovascular, y se relaciona en las mujeres, pero no en los hombres, con menor tensión arterial (Bowen et al, 2013).…”

Evaluation of the association between presenteeism and perceived availability of social support among hospital doctors in Zhejiang, China

“…[26][27][28][29][30] In theory, the perceived social support may affect the prevalence of presenteeism through its impact on the individual's health. 31 In terms of physical health, perceived social support was a signi cant predictor of lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure 32 and was found to be associated with improved health-related quality of life 33 . In terms of mental health, perceived social support had a close association with a person's personality 34 , posed important consequences on the well-being in theory 35 and in practice 32 .…”

“…31 In terms of physical health, perceived social support was a signi cant predictor of lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure 32 and was found to be associated with improved health-related quality of life 33 . In terms of mental health, perceived social support had a close association with a person's personality 34 , posed important consequences on the well-being in theory 35 and in practice 32 . A growing body of evidence suggests that social support may have a role to play in alleviating presenteeism although indirectly.…”

Evaluation of the association between presenteeism and perceived availability of social support among hospital doctors in Zhejiang, China

“…[26][27][28][29][30] In theory, the perceived social support may affect the prevalence of presenteeism through its impact on the individual's health. 31 In terms of physical health, perceived social support was a significant predictor of lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure 32 and was found to be associated with improved health-related quality of life 33 . In terms of mental health, perceived social support had a close association with a person's personality 34 , posed important consequences on the well-being in theory 35 and in practice 32 .…”

“…31 In terms of physical health, perceived social support was a significant predictor of lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure 32 and was found to be associated with improved health-related quality of life 33 . In terms of mental health, perceived social support had a close association with a person's personality 34 , posed important consequences on the well-being in theory 35 and in practice 32 . A growing body of evidence suggests that social support may have a role to play in alleviating presenteeism although indirectly.…”