Issn Print: 0033-3174

Publication Date: 1969/03/01


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Psychological Traits and Serum Lipids: I. Findings from the California Psychological Inventory

DAVID C. JENKINS; CURTIS G. HAMES; STEPHEN J. ZYZANSKI; RAY H. ROSENMAN; MEYER FRIEDMAN

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Author Information: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, N. C.The Hames Clinic, Claxton. Ga.The Harold Brunn Institute, Mount Zion Hospital and Medical Center San Francisco, Calif.

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Abstract

The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) was administered to 34 California firemen. Serum cholesterol levels had significant correlations with CPI scales which measure the degree to which the person had internalized social norms ("socialization"), his sense of responsibility, and self-criticism. The multiple regression coefficient predicting the cholesterol level from Socialization and Self-acceptance scores was 0.66.

The two CPI scales were then administered to 152 male supermarket employees in Georgia. The CPI Socialization scale again had a statistically significant association with the cholesterol level (two-way analysis of covariance), but raised the multiple correlation coefficient only marginally.

The clinical interpretation of these findings is that the man who is particularly adherent to social norms, places high value on being dependable and conscientious, and is self-critical, is more likely to have a higher serum cholesterol level. Furthermore, the influence of this personality syndrome differs in strength depending on the age and social characteristics of the group.

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