Latent growth curve methodology was used to model systolic
blood pressure reactivity and recovery from the cold pressor
test. A piecewise regression approach permitted the separate
but simultaneous modeling of the two components (reactivity
and recovery) of the stress process. Data came from a study
of 99 participants classified on the basis of gender, ethnicity,
and family history of hypertension. Their systolic blood pressure
was assessed at rest, during the cold pressor test, and during
a task recovery period. A measure of task appraisal and readings
from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring during a workday were
also examined. The article illustrates a step-by-step approach
to modeling reactivity and recovery. Results indicated that
both reactivity and recovery were associated with subsequent
systolic blood pressure at work.