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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2009

Open Access 01-02-2009 | Original Article

Social Isolation and Stress-related Cardiovascular, Lipid, and Cortisol Responses

Authors: Nina Grant, M.Sc., Mark Hamer, Ph.D., Andrew Steptoe, D.Sc.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

Social support is a strong and consistent predictor of health outcomes, and social isolation predicts increased morbidity and mortality. The mediating processes are not completely understood.

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between social isolation and cardiovascular and lipid responses to acute stress in the laboratory, and cortisol profiles over the day.

Methods

Cardiovascular and lipid responses to acute stress tasks, and salivary cortisol monitoring, were carried out in 238 healthy middle-aged men and women from the Whitehall II cohort. Social isolation was measured using an adapted version of the Close Persons Questionnaire.

Results

Social isolation was associated with slower post-task recovery of systolic blood pressure in men and women, a higher cholesterol response to stress in men only, and also with larger cortisol awakening responses and greater cortisol output over the day in both men and women.

Conclusions

The impact of social isolation on cardiovascular disease risk may be mediated through stress-related dysregulation of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine processes.
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Metadata
Title
Social Isolation and Stress-related Cardiovascular, Lipid, and Cortisol Responses
Authors
Nina Grant, M.Sc.
Mark Hamer, Ph.D.
Andrew Steptoe, D.Sc.
Publication date
01-02-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9081-z

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