The Relationship Between Repressive Defensiveness and Physical Health Outcomes: Implications for Causality
The Relationship Between Repressive Defensiveness and Physical Health
Outcomes: Implications for Causality
The concept of repressive defensiveness (RD) has an extensive history in clinical and personality research (Bonanno, Davis, Singer & Schwartz, 1991). RD is the tendency to avoid negative emotions (Denollet, Martens, Nykĺıcˇek, Conraads & de Gelder, 2008). Repressors are characterised by their elevated levels of physiological and behavioural indicators of anxiety and low self-reported anxiety in stressful situations (Weinberger, Schwartz & Davidson 1979). They have limited self-awareness and an avoidant style of information processing, particularly in relation to negatively toned affective material (Bonanno et al., 1991). Furthermore, an increasing body of evidence suggests that although RD protects repressors against psychiatric disorders, they are at risk for serious health-related problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease (CAD), asthma and much more (Myers, 2010).
Therefore, this paper aims to discuss existing evidence on RD leading to physical health outcomes. However, it is important to note that even if the relationship between RD and physical health outcomes is statistically significant, due to the correlational nature of most of the studies, no conclusion can be made about the direction of the relationship. Consequently, implications for causality exist. In light of this, this paper will further look at evidence that suggest physical health outcomes leads to RD. Finally, this paper will demonstrate that third variables such as substance abuse and personal control exist in the relationship between RD and physical health outcomes. Examining third variables might answer the question why not all repressors result in adverse physical health outcomes.
Firstly, research indicates that RD, in the short term, may be adaptive when people are faced with intensively stressful situations because it allows them function on a day-to-day basis and to
Outcomes: Implications for Causality
The concept of repressive defensiveness (RD) has an extensive history in clinical and personality research (Bonanno, Davis, Singer & Schwartz, 1991). RD is the tendency to avoid negative emotions (Denollet, Martens, Nykĺıcˇek, Conraads & de Gelder, 2008). Repressors are characterised by their elevated levels of physiological and behavioural indicators of anxiety and low self-reported anxiety in stressful situations (Weinberger, Schwartz & Davidson 1979). They have limited self-awareness and an avoidant style of information processing, particularly in relation to negatively toned affective material (Bonanno et al., 1991). Furthermore, an increasing body of evidence suggests that although RD protects repressors against psychiatric disorders, they are at risk for serious health-related problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease (CAD), asthma and much more (Myers, 2010).
Therefore, this paper aims to discuss existing evidence on RD leading to physical health outcomes. However, it is important to note that even if the relationship between RD and physical health outcomes is statistically significant, due to the correlational nature of most of the studies, no conclusion can be made about the direction of the relationship. Consequently, implications for causality exist. In light of this, this paper will further look at evidence that suggest physical health outcomes leads to RD. Finally, this paper will demonstrate that third variables such as substance abuse and personal control exist in the relationship between RD and physical health outcomes. Examining third variables might answer the question why not all repressors result in adverse physical health outcomes.
Firstly, research indicates that RD, in the short term, may be adaptive when people are faced with intensively stressful situations because it allows them function on a day-to-day basis and to