J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2016 Nov;18(4):221-230. 10.7586/jkbns.2016.18.4.221.

Sex Differences of the Relationships between Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Psychosocial Factors in Community-Residing Adults

• Song HY
• Nam KA

• KMID: 2361636
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2016.18.4.221

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was undertaken to explore sex differences in the risk markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and psychosocial factors and the relationships among these variables for the community-residing adults.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 114 participants consisting of 65 men aged 42.85 years old and 49 women aged 46.86 years old. Participants were selected by a convenient sampling of at community cultural centers and churches. They completed a structured questionnaire including demographic characteristics, physiologic risk markers of CVD; lifestyle factors; and depression, social support, and stress.
RESULTS
The male participants showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than their counterparts. Significantly higher percent of women were currently non-smokers, and practiced moderate alcohol intake, physical activity, and low fat diet. Among women, the higher the scores of depression and stress were and the lower that of the social support was, the higher blood pressure, waist circumference and BMI were. Among men, those who were less depressed and with higher scores of social support had more physical activity.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest further studies to explore sex differences of CVD risk markers and psychosocial factors, and their relationships in a larger sample, and to find the mechanism underlying these differences with a prospective design.

Keyword

Cardiovascular diseases; Risk factors; Psychosocial factors; Sex characteristics

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Diet
Female
Humans
Life Style
Male
Motor Activity
Prospective Studies
Psychology*
Risk Factors
Sex Characteristics*
Waist Circumference