DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/VM3G-ZQ51
Defense Date
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Scott Vrana
Abstract
Past research has found inconsistent effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) status on cardiovascular responding. Inconsistencies may be explained by demographic differences in study samples. In this study, the influence of gender and ethnicity on the relationship between PTSD status and cardiovascular responding was explored. Participants’ (N = 245) heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings were taken throughout baseline and anger recall periods. For all gender by ethnicity groups, baseline HR was higher in participants with PTSD than without PTSD, except for Black men. Whites with PTSD had lower baseline SBP than Whites without PTSD; the opposite was true for Blacks. Men and Blacks with PTSD had larger HR increases during anger imagery than men and Blacks without PTSD, whereas women and Whites showed the opposite pattern. Results suggest demographic variables may account for inconsistent effects of PTSD on cardiovascular responding.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
May 2010