Social support and age-related differences in cardiovascular function: an examination of potential mediators.

The investigators examined the potential influence of social support on age-related differences in resting cardiovascular function and the potential mediators responsible for such associations in 67 normotensive women and men. Consistent with prior research, age predicted increased resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). More importantly, regression analyses revealed that social support moderated age-related differences in resting SBP and DBP, as age predicted higher resting blood pressure for individuals low in social support, but was unrelated to blood pressure for individuals high in social support. An examination of potential pathways revealed that these results were not mediated by various health-related variables, personality factors, or psychological processes. Implications for the study of social support and health are discussed.