Association of Type D personality with the autonomic and hemodynamic response to the cold pressor test

作者：Kupper Nina^*; Pelle Aline; Denollet Johan

来源：Psychophysiology, 2013, 50(12): 1194-1201.

DOI：10.1111/psyp.12133

• Type D personality
• Cold pressor task
• Impedance cardiography
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Autonomic nervous system
• Cardiovascular reactivity

Mechanisms relating Type D personality to poor health are largely unknown, with autonomic nervous system function being a candidate. This study examined the physiologic response to cold stress. Undergraduates (N=101, 84% female) underwent a cold pressor test. An electrocardiogram, impedance cardiogram, and blood pressure were recorded. Type D personality was assessed by self-report questionnaire. Type D was associated with increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure reactivity. Exploratory analyses showed Type D men to respond with increased respiratory sinus arrhythmia (i.e., higher parasympathetic activity), and decreased pre-ejection period (i.e., larger sympathetic activity), while Type D women showed a reciprocal response pattern. In conclusion, Type D personality was associated with an exaggerated hemodynamic response to cold stress, which may contribute to an increased risk of hypertension in Type D individuals.

• 出版日期2013-12