Marital Distress, Marital Therapy, and the Development of High Blood Pressure
Patrick Steffen,
Clinical Psychology
Research studies have shown that marital status and martial distress are related to blood pressure levels and overall health. Married individuals have been shown to have lower blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality as compared to divorced, single, and widowed individuals.
No studies to date have examined the effect of marital therapy on the development of high blood pressure. This study will make a unique contribution by examining how marital distress and marital therapy impact blood pressure over time. The following hypotheses will be investigated:
- At baseline, increased marital distress will be related to higher blood pressure: (1) During standard clinic assessment, (2) During discussions of marital problems in a laboratory setting, and (3) During 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure assessment.
- Success of marital therapy will affect blood pressure at the 6-month follow-up assessment, including (1) Decrease of marital distress after therapy will result in clinic blood pressure levels staying the same or decreasing, and (2) Continued marital distress after therapy will result in higher clinic blood pressure levels.
