Abstract
Objective: To assess the interactive effect of chronic stress and emotional expressiveness (EE) on blood pressure (BP) in older adults. Method: Among spousal caregivers ( n=111) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, BP was assessed at home by a visiting nurse every 6 months for 7 years. Caregiving demands, EE, social desirability and hostility were also assessed. Results: State hostility was more prevalent among newer caregivers and those encountering more dementia problem behaviors and ADL limitations but unrelated to BP or BP change ( P>.05). In a cross-sectional analysis, higher diastolic BP was associated with more spousal problem behaviors and being less emotionally expressive ( P<.05). Longitudinal (growth curve analysis) increases in diastolic BP were predicted by providing more spousal ADL assistance ( P<.05) but not by EE. Conclusion: Both caregiving stress and low EE may contribute independently to hypertension risk in the elderly.
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