Reliability of cardiovascular reactivity to stress: internal consistency.

Research on the reliability of cardiovascular reactivity has focused on temporal stability and intertask consistency with only modest results. The present study evaluated the internal consistency reliability of cardiovascular reactivity in three large samples of adolescents and young adults (N=326, 136, and 142). Impedance cardiographic and blood pressure measures were recorded at rest and during standard laboratory stress tasks (math, video game, cold pressor).

Child abuse potential in at-risk African American mothers: the role of life experience variables.

The effects of life experience variables on child abuse potential were evaluated in 95 prospectively recruited African American mothers 1 month postpartum. All participants had used opiates or cocaine during pregnancy and were considered high risk for child maltreatment. Abuse potential was assessed with the Child Abuse Potential Inventory, a widely used and psychometrically sound measure with demonstrated predictive validity.

Psychophysiological correlates of narcissistic traits in women during active coping.

Two dimensions of narcissism were related to psychophysiological responses to stress in 50 young women. Cardiovascular, electrodermal, task performance, and stress appraisal measures were recorded during rest, mental arithmetic, and a computerized Thematic Apperception Test (Murray, 1943). The Egocentricity and Alienation scales of the Bell Object Relations and Reality Testing Inventory (Bell, 1995) served as measures of overt/inflated and covert/deflated narcissism.