Dissertation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANGER, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/111235
Abstract
Research has indicated relationships between law enforcement officers (LEOs), psychosocial factors, and cardiovascular disease. LEO populations may be at increased risk for aggression and anger suppression, which has been linked to cardiac incidents, subclinical atherosclerosis, and poor prognosis in patients with existing cardiovascular disease. The link between LEOs and anger may help explain the increased risk in LEOs for cardiovascular disease mortality, and morbidity, as well as subclinical atherosclerosis. In this study, the relationship between LEO occupational status, anger, and markers of cardiovascular risk was examined. In this sample, LEOs and non-LEOs did not differ on measures of externalized and internalized anger, nor did the groups significantly differ in coronary artery calcification (CAC) or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Regardless of occupational status, higher levels of externalized anger predicted lower levels of coronary artery calcification (CAC), suggesting that some properties of behaviorally expressed anger may be protective. Conversely, higher levels of internalized anger were associated with higher levels of body mass index (BMI) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Additionally, traditional heart disease risk factors, such as older age, a history of smoking tobacco, and higher levels of BMI, were associated with higher levels of CRP and CAC.
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Details
- Title
- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANGER, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
- Creators
- Elizabeth Devon Eldridge
- Contributors
- Bruce Wright (Advisor)Dennis Dyck (Committee Member)Sterling McPherson (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Psychology
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 76
- Identifiers
- 99900581434901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation