Marital Quality Buffers the Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Ambulatory Blood Pressure

Ann Behav Med. 2016 Apr;50(2):330-5. doi: 10.1007/s12160-015-9742-z.

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic status is robustly associated with rates of death and disease. Psychophysiological stress processes are thought to account for a portion of this association.

Purpose: Although positive and supportive relationships can buffer psychophysiological stress responses, no studies have examined whether the quality of a primary adult relationship-marriage-may buffer the negative association between socioeconomic status and stress-related disease processes.

Methods: The current study examines the interaction between income and marital quality (supportive vs. ambivalent) on individuals' daily ambulatory blood pressure, a valid and reliable indicator of cardiovascular risk.

Results: Results revealed that supportive marital relationships buffered the otherwise higher ambulatory diastolic blood pressure associated with low income.

Conclusions: Results are consistent with the buffering hypothesis of social support and suggest that a supportive spouse may buffer stress-related autonomic processes linking low socioeconomic status to risk for cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: Ambulatory blood pressure; Income; Marital quality; Physical health; Relationship quality; Socioeconomic status.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / physiology*
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marriage / psychology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Class*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spouses / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology