ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6781-6237

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Psychology (Ph.D.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Elizabeth Brondolo

Second Advisor

Melissa Peckins

Third Advisor

Raymond DiGiuseppe

Abstract

Past research has found significant associations between anger coping (i.e., anger-in, anger-out, anger-control) and blood pressure. As these studies used retrospective surveys to measure anger coping and clinic measures of blood pressure, less is known about the relations of anger coping and blood pressure in daily life. This ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study tested whether momentary use of anger coping styles in the context of interpersonal interactions were associated with momentary blood pressure reactivity and nocturnal blood pressure recovery (i.e., blood pressure dipping). Lifetime perceived ethnic discrimination was tested as a moderator of the relations of anger coping and blood pressure reactivity. A sample of 669 Black (n=378, 49.8 %) and Latino/a (n=381, 50.2%) individuals completed daily diaries to record their use of anger coping styles every 20 minutes during waking hours while simultaneously fitted with a BP cuff that collected ambulatory blood pressure readings of systolic and diastolic blood pressure every 20 minutes. Participants also completed a survey measure of lifetime perceived ethnic discrimination. Mixed models revealed that momentary anger coping predicted ABP reactivity, such that momentary use of anger-out was associated with higher SBP reactivity, and momentary use of both anger-out and anger-in was associated with higher DBP reactivity. Logistic regressions revealed that anger coping also predicted ABP recovery, such that greater use of anger-in during the day was associated with greater BP dipping at night, while greater use of anger-control during the day was associated with less BP dipping at night. Discrimination moderated the relations between anger coping and ABP reactivity, such that greater lifetime perceived discrimination was associated with higher DBP when individuals use anger-out versus not. These findings suggest that discrimination may shape the relations of momentary use of anger coping strategies and physical health. Results may inform the development of culturally specific interventions for those at risk for hypertension and ethnic discrimination.

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