Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the range of anger-expressive behaviors and social competencies among essential hypertensive patients.
Methods: Behavioral reactions to both neutral and anger-evoking role-play interactions were measured in 26 hypertensive and 15 normotensive patients. Social behaviors were assessed using self-report measures of anger expression, assertiveness, self- and other-ratings of social competence and behavioral measures of anger expression observed during role-play interactions.
Results: Hypertensive patients showed less eye contact, used fewer positive assertive statements and were rated as being less assertive during confrontational role-play scenarios than normotensive controls. Hypertensive patients also exhibited higher pulse pressure reactions to confrontation than normotensives, particularly hypertensive patients who expressed anger overtly.
Conclusion: Essential hypertension is associated with specific social skill deficits that are only apparent during the assertive expression of anger.