Joseph A. Doster

Ethnicity and Type D personality as predictors of heart rate variability

This study examined the relationship between Type D personality and heart rate variability (HRV) during three guided imagery experiences (baseline, stressful, and uplifting) in a non-medical sample. The interaction between African-American ethnicity and Type D personality was predictive of both low and high frequency HRV during stressful imagery experiences. The importance of identifying group influences when assessing psychological and cardiovascular health was discussed.

The relationship of conservatism and cognitive-complexity

Abstract An investigation of the relationship of conservatism and cognitive-complexity was completed. Forty-one males and 43 females participated in the study with each completing the Wilson-Patterson Conservatism Scale (C Scale) and the Role Repertory Grid (Rep Grid). Analysis indicated that High-Conservatives possessed significantly lower Ordination scores than Low-Conservatives and that these lower scores were related to significant differences in Ordination-Person scores and not due to differences in Ordination-Construct scores. No differences between High- and Low-Conservatives were evident concerning Functionally Independent Construct scores. These results suggest that High-Conservatives possess a somewhat restricted range of construct assignment flexibility that may lead to viewing others in a categorical manner. This restriction may be related to a dislike of ambiguity or an attempt at anxiety reduction. This research is consistent with previous research and it is likely that low cognitive-complexity is another component of the value pattern of conservatives.

Spirituality and Cardiovascular Risk

This study extended current research linking spirituality to health by investigating the relationship between extrinsic and intrinsic spirituality and cardiovascular risk factors. Participants included 111 healthy males and females, ages 28 to 63. Measurements consisted of the Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire (LAQ), a version of Kellys Repertory Grid, hematological analysis, and blood pressure. A greater sense of spirituality was associated with lower cholesterol risk ratios (total cholesterol/HDL) and triglyceride levels. In addition, the structural or organizational characteristics of intrinsic spirituality were associated with several other hematological measures. Further research will help clarify the association between mechanisms underlying spirituality and health, including susceptibility to cardiovascular disorders.

Cardiovascular Risk: Gender Differences in Lifestyle Behaviors and Coping Strategies

BackgroundAlthough cardiovascular disease (CVD) does not occur until mid to late life for most adults, the presence of risk factors, such as high blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol, has increased dramatically in young adults.PurposeThe present study examined the relationships between gender and coping strategies, lifestyle behaviors, and cardiovascular risks.MethodThe sample consisted of 297 (71% female) university students. Participants completed a survey to assess demographics, lifestyle behaviors, and coping strategies, and a physiological assessment including lipid and blood pressure (BP) measurements. Data collection occurred from January 2007 to May 2008.ResultsAnalyses revealed that age, ethnicity, greater body mass index (BMI), greater use of social support, and less frequent exercise were associated with higher cholesterol, while gender, age, greater BMI, and less frequent exercise were associated with higher systolic BP. There were two significant interactions: one between gender and avoidant coping and the other between gender and exercise on systolic BP, such that for men greater use of avoidant coping or exercise was associated with lower systolic BP.ConclusionUnderstanding how young adults manage their demands and cope with stress sets the stage for understanding the developmental process of CVD. Both coping strategies and lifestyle behaviors must be considered in appraising gender-related cardiovascular risk at an early age before the disease process has begun.

Gender differences, anger expression, and cardiovascular risk.

Research has established the influence of serum cholesterol and anger management style as cardiovascular risk factors. However, mixed and sometimes contradictory results have created uncertainty with respect to contributions of anger. Some incongruities may be accounted for on the basis of gender differences since a number of studies have employed male samples rather than female samples or mixed samples. The present study examined both gender and anger management style in relation to cardiovascular risk. One hundred three (72 men and 31 women) midlevel executives completed questionnaires and a blood draw during a week long, succession training program within a large international organization. Gender, anger expression, and anger expressed outward were significant predictors for levels of high-density lipids, low-density lipids/very low-density lipids, and triglycerides, and cardiovascular risk ratios. Results replicate and extend previous research. Anger held inward and anger control were significant for men but not women, contrary to earlier gender-specific findings.

Stability and Factor Structure of the Jackson Personality Inventory-Revised

The Jackson Personality Inventory-Revised comprises 15 bipolar scales and five cluster scores concerning an individuals interpersonal patterns of interaction, cognitive styles, and value orientation. Recent reviews of this revised version raise questions about test-retest stability as well as the factor structure on which cluster scores are based. 74 men and 33 women (29–63 years of age, M = 42.3) completed the inventory while participating in a continuing education program. Of these 45 participated in a second session 13 wk. later. Test-retest correlations are significant, with 12 of the 15 scales having correlations > .75. Intercorrelations among all subscales indicate that the Jackson subscales for the most part remain distinct from each other ranging from .01 to .59. A Principal Components Analysis with a varimax rotation yielded three factors that parallel the NEO big five, i.e., Openness, Neuroticism, and Extroversion and replicated previous factor structure found for both versions of the Jackson inventory. The fourth and fifth factors here were labeled Trustworthy and Organization; however, the composition of these factors across several studies appears to be unstable, suggesting optimal certainty when interpreting the clusters of subscales associated only with Openness, Neuroticism, and Extroversion. Further research may help clarify the instability associated with the other factors of this inventory.

Fisher's Psychobiological Model Of Emotional Construing: Negative Emotions And Immunity

Abstract We applied Fishers (1990) psychobiological model of emotional construing to the interaction between psychological and physiological variables. Participants were 33 women and 36 men, drawn mainly from a graduate student population and ranging in age from 25 to 55 years old. Anger and depression were the psychological variables. Physiological variables included serum Cortisol levels, suppressor and helper T-cell percentages, and white blood cell peroxidase activity. There were significant differences between men and women in the relationships among anger, depression, and immunological and endocrinological parameters. Primitive emotional constructions appeared to be more strongly related to immunological strain than complex emotional constructions. There were more and higher (positive) correlations for women in these relationships. Scores on two measures (State Anger and Anger-In) negatively correlated with white blood cell peroxidase activity in men. Negative emotions may result in impaired immuno...

Intrinsically versus Extrinsically Defined Spirituality and Immune Functioning

Abstract Eighty-eight healthy men and women (ages 29-63) had a blood draw and completed the Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire (LAQ) and a version of Kellys repertory grid in order to investigate the relationship between spirituality and immune functioning. As expected, spirituality was associated with patterns of healthier immune functioning in terms of lower absolute and percentage based counts of monocytes and higher T helper (CD4+) cells and the ratio of T helper to T cytotoxic (CD8+) cells. This pattern mostly implicated the persons spirituality when intrinsically versus extrinsically derived. Findings extend research on immune functioning and religiosity, and support the existence of a relationship between spirituality and health, underscoring the possible stress buffering role of spirituality in enhancing physical and emotional well-being.

RELATIONSHIP OF CONSTRUCT RELATION AND OPTIMISM

Landfield and Epting (1987) theorized that low construct relation may suggest a fragmentation process within ones construct system which, in turn, will be manifest in excessive doubt and uncertainty, forms of low optimism. Present results with 81 undergraduates were consistent with this contention and indicated that individuals with low scores on construct relation also report low scores on dispositional optimism. Continued research is recommended to define the relationship between scores on construct relation and optimism.