Can Hostility Interfere with the Health Benefits of Giving and Receiving Social Support? The Impact of Cynical Hostility on Cardiovascular Reactivity During Social Support Interactions Among Friends

Both social support and hostility have been reliably associated with important health outcomes including coronary heart disease (CHD). One potential pathway by which these variables may influence CHD is via their impact on cardiovascular reactivity (CVR). Although social support has been generally associated with beneficial effects on cardiovascular functioning, the cynicism and mistrust among hostile individuals may prevent them from benefiting...