Date of Award
1-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Psychology
First Advisor
Aaron Lee
Second Advisor
John Young
Third Advisor
Laura Dixon
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is by extension associated with potentially life-threatening events (e.g., heart attack, stroke). Loneliness, which has been linked to cardiovascular health problems, may be an important risk factor for hypertension. Most studies exploring psychosocial factors and blood pressure focus on single-point measurements of blood pressure, which have notable limitations. The current study investigated the association between loneliness and markers of hypertension (i.e., mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure dip, average pulse pressure, and AASI) in a diverse sample by utilizing an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) device. Sixty community-dwelling adults were recruited from community health clinics and University of Mississippi staff members in North Mississippi. Separate hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed a significant, negative relationship between loneliness and mean arterial pressure dipping (MAPbp; B = -0.22, SE = 0.05, 95% CI: [-0.32, -0.11], p < .001). However, loneliness was not significantly related to any other ambulatory blood pressure outcome (e.g., SBP, DPB, PP, and AASI). The present study provides limited evidence for the importance of loneliness as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Recommended Citation
Leukel, Patric Justin, "Loneliness and Ambulatory Blood Pressure" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3319.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3319