Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

1-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Psychology

First Advisor

Aaron A. Lee

Second Advisor

Todd A. Smitherman

Third Advisor

Kristin Austin

School

University of Mississippi

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality. Psychosocial factors are associated with blood pressure control and preliminary evidence has linked greater distress tolerance to lower blood pressure. The present study examined associations between distress tolerance and key blood pressure markers (24-hour mean blood pressure, nocturnal dipping) among community-dwelling adults (N = 60) using the noninvasive gold standard of blood pressure measurement—ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Separate hierarchal linear regression analyses did not reveal any significant relationships between distress tolerance and 24-hour mean systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, or pulse pressure values (ps > .05). Separate hierarchal linear regression analyses did not reveal significant relationships between distress tolerance and mean nocturnal dipping systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, or pulse pressure values (ps > .05). Overall, the results did not support a relationship between distress tolerance and blood pressure.

Available for download on Thursday, July 30, 2026

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