The Relative Importance of Parenthood on Parental Daytime Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Average Daily Ambulatory Blood Pressure

Authors

Wendy Birmingham, Brigham Young University
Adam Howard, Brigham Young University
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Brigham Young University

Keywords

parenthood, daytime ambulatory blood pressure, social relationships, coronary heart disease, CHD

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Epidemiological research indicates that both the quality and quantity of social relationships significantly protects individuals from various causes of morbidity and mortality. For most adults, marriage and children play a central role in their social lives. Social relationships have been reliably associated with important long-term health outcomes including coronary heart disease (CHD). One pathway by which social relationships may influence health is via ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) during daily life. Research examining marriage alone has found that married individuals fare better psychologically and physiologically; additionally, research including children as a variable has shown that children have an impact on the satisfaction of the marital relationship. However, less information is available on the impact children have on parental health, specifically blood pressure.

Recommended Citation

Birmingham, Wendy; Howard, Adam; and Holt-Lunstad, Dr. Julianne (2014) "The Relative Importance of Parenthood on Parental Daytime Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Average Daily Ambulatory Blood Pressure," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 316.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/316