Anger is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in low SES but not in higher SES men and women. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Päivi Merjonen, Laura Pulkki-Råback, Sampsa Puttonen, Pertti Keskivaara, Markus Juonala, Risto Telama, Jorma Viikari, Olli T. Raitakari, Liisa Keltikangas-Järvinen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We investigated the associations of anger and cynicism with carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and whether these associations were moderated by childhood or adulthood socioeconomic status (SES). The participants were 647 men and 893 women derived from the population-based Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Childhood SES was measured in 1980 when the participants were aged 3-18. In 2001, adulthood SES, anger, cynicism, and IMT were measured. There were no associations between anger or cynicism and IMT in the entire population, but anger was associated with thicker IMT in participants who had experienced low SES in childhood. This association persisted after adjustment for a host of cardiovascular risk factors. It is concluded that the ill health-effects of psychological factors such as anger may be more pronounced in individuals who have been exposed to adverse socioeconomic circumstances early in life.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)35-44
Number of pages10
JournalJOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2008
Externally publishedYes
Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Anger
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Cynicism
  • Hostility
  • Intima-media thickness (IMT)
  • Socioeconomic status (SES)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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