This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Younger, J. W. Articles by Keenum, A. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Younger, J. W. Articles by Keenum, A. J. Related Collections Psychophysiology Stress and Coping Blood Pressure

Effects of Naltrexone on Repressive Coping and Disclosure of Emotional Material: A Test of the Opioid-Peptide Hypothesis of Repression and Hypertension

From the Division of Pain Management, Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California (J.W.Y.); the Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee (K.A.L.-R.); the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (K.A.M.); the Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (A.L.K.); and the Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee (A.J.K.).

Objective: The present study was designed to assess the role of endogenous opioids in the relationship of hypertension to repressive coping.

Methods: Ten hypertensive and 8 normotensive males were given either the opioid antagonist naltrexone or placebo in a randomized, double-blind fashion over the course of four laboratory sessions. Measures of repression and disclosure were completed and blood pressure was assessed during a laboratory stressor protocol.

Results: Opioid antagonism reduced repression and increased disclosure only in the hypertensive group. Also, opioid antagonism increased stress-related systolic blood pressure only in the hypertensive group.

Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that endogenous opioid dysregulation underlies both hypertension and repressive phenomena.

Key Words: hypertension • repression • disclosure • opioids • comorbidity • naltrexone

Abbreviations: DBP = diastolic blood pressure; SBP = systolic blood pressure; POMS = Profile of Mood States; LCC = Life Concerns Checklist; MAS = Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale; MCSDS = Social Desirability Scale; TAS = Toronto Alexithymia Scale.