Associations between trait dominance and cardiovascular
reactivity were examined in previously unacquainted healthy
men and women. Subjects participated in three mixed-gender
dyadic interactions with the same partner while their cardiovascular
responses were assessed. Among men, but not women, trait
dominance was positively and significantly associated with
systolic blood pressure reactivity. For men and women,
diastolic blood pressure reactivity was positively and
significantly associated with trait dominance while participants
prepared to interact and with partner's trait dominance
while they interacted. All effects held after controlling
for trait hostility. Dominance merits attention as a correlate
of cardiovascular reactivity, a finding that parallels
emerging patterns in the cardiovascular disease literature.
Gender and gender-related social factors as potential moderators
of this relationship are discussed.
