Personality, stress, and venous flow rates

Abstract

A technique of directly measuring Venous Flow Rate (VFR) in a large superficial limb vein is described. With this technique, increases in VFR were noted in response to Epinephrine; and decreases in VFR, in response to the anticipation of, and the performance of an alerting mental arithmetic problem. High Ego Strength Ss revealed higher rates of flow than low E.S. Ss at rest and after Epinephrine. High Anxiety Ss revealed more of an increase of rate of flow in response to Epinephrine and a less brisk recovery after arithmetic than low anxiety Ss. During resting conditions Field Independent Ss revealed gradual increase in VFR, while Field Dependent Ss revealed decreases. These differences were intensified when F.I. and F.D. Ss were equated for ego strength and anxiety scores. F.I. Ss also revealed a more prolonged increase in rate of flow in response to Epinephrine than Field Dependent Ss.