Relationship between blood pressure and psychological features of experience and behaviour among teachers

Abstract

Background Relationships between psychological features and psychophysical parameters, such as blood pressure, have a high relevance in research on coping with stress. We want to investigate the correlation between blood pressure and these psychological features. Participants and procedure We investigated 79 teachers from high schools and secondary schools in and around Leipzig, Germany. Using the systolic blood pressure as an indicator, we formed three groups: hypotensive, normotensive, and hypertensive. We assessed several psychological health dependent variables and looked for differences between these groups (χ2 test). Results Hypotensive subjects experienced more stress and less planning and goal behaviour. Furthermore, they more often used physical exercises in order to increase their social well-being. Hypertensive subjects, on the other hand, were driven by fear of loss of control and showed a higher sense of feeling threatened. Conclusions We found for each group different relationships that are highly relevant to health. This result shows how psychological features and physiological regulation mechanisms are linked.