Behavioural determinants of blood pressure in pre-adolescents.

The relationship between blood pressure and behavioural syndromes assessed by means of an "adjective test" was examined in a group of 467 pre-adolescents. Preliminary results suggest that certain specific behaviour characteristics can be identified in individuals with elevated blood pressure already in childhood and adolescence. Cluster analysis showed that subjects with higher blood pressure do not constitute a psychologically homogeneous group but can be classed into one of the following three subgroups: individuals with "High Academic Performance", "Dysthymic Behaviour" or "Behavioural Disturbances". The relationship between blood pressure and behavioural factors is not mediated by covariables such as social status, sexual maturity, body mass, smoking habits, etc.