Sex Differences in Cardiovascular and Subjective Stress Reactions: Prospective Evidence in a Realistic Military Setting

Abstract

Evidence points to heightened physiological arousal in response to acute stress exposure as both a prospective indicator and core characteristic of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since females are at higher risk of PTSD development, it is important to evaluate sex differences in acute stress reactions. This study characterized sex differences in cardiovascular and subjective stress reactions among military survival trainees. Method: One hundred eighty-five military members (78% males) were studied before, during, and 24 hours after stressful mock captivity. Cardiovascular (heart rate [HR], systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP]) and dissociative states were measured at all three time points. Psychological impact of mock captivity was assessed during recovery. General linear modeling with repeated measures evaluated sex differences for each cardiovascular endpoint, and causal steps modeling was used to explore interrelationships of sex, cardiovascular reactions, and psychological impact of mock captivity. Results: Although females had lower SBP than males at all three time points, the difference was most pronounced at baseline and during stress. Accordingly, females showed greater residual elevation in SBP during recovery. Females had lower DBP at all three time points. Additionally, females reported greater psychological impact of mock captivity than males. Exploratory causal steps modeling suggested that stress-induced HR may partially mediate the effect of sex on psychological impact of mock captivity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated sex-specific cardiovascular stress reactions in military personnel, along with greater psychological impact of stress exposure in females. This may elucidate sex differences in PTSD development.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2014
Accession Number
ADA619168

Entities

People

  • Charles A. Morgan Iii
  • Emily A Schmied
  • Genieleah A. Padilla
  • Gerald E. Larson
  • Ingrid E. Wilson
  • Marcus K. Taylor
  • Melissa D. Hiller-lauby
  • Robyn M. Highfill-McRoy

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Brain Injuries
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Data Science
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Education
  • Elevation
  • Heart Rate
  • Hypertension
  • Information Science
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Oxygenation
  • Psychology
  • Recovery
  • Residuals
  • Students

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Gender and Food Studies
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.