Hostile behavior links negative childhood family relationships to heart rate reactivity and recovery in young adulthood

► Early family adversity may impact heart rate (HR) reactivity in young adulthood. ► Young adults from negative families had attenuated HR reactivity during conflict. ► Young adults from negative families showed more hostile behavior during conflict. ► Hostile behavior predicted attenuated HR reactivity and recovery. ► Early adversity may impact adult cardiovascular health via a pathway of hostility.