Psycho-social correlates of hypertension disease

Abstract

Background and Objective : Research evidence supports the relationship of psychological and demographic factors with hypertension and these variables are strongest predictors of hypertension which are scarcely studied in Pakistan. The present study was carried out to explore the correlation of depression, anxiety, stress and demographic factors with hypertension. Method: We used correlation research design and a sample of (N = 237), hypertensive patients (N = 137) and their age matched healthy controls (N = 100) was taken from hospitals. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used to assess depression, anxiety and stress. Results: Results indicated significant positive correlation between depression (χ2MH = 104.18, p < .001), anxiety (χ2MH = 78.48, p < .001), stress (χ2MH = 110.95, p < .001) and overall negative states (χ2MH = 97.43, p < .001) with hypertension. Depression (OR = 1.44, p < .01), anxiety (OR = 1. 76, p < .01) stress (OR = 1.37, p < .01), job and dependents, working hours and weight turned out as predictors of hypertension. Conclusion: Hypertension has significant positive relationship with depression, anxiety, stress and with demographic variables. The findings of the present study will contribute in the existing knowledge of health professionals to enhance public awareness regarding the harmful outcomes of depression, anxiety and stress upon human health.

Factors associated with hypertension in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Another study [ 46 ] used a cut-off value of BP ≥ 160/90 mm Hg for children aged 5–10 years and BP ≥ 165/90 mm Hg for adults aged 20–60 years. Four studies enrolled previously diagnosed cases of hypertension without specifying the standard methods used for diagnoses [ 32 – 35 ] ( S1 Table ).…”

Arterial hypertension as a factor in the choice of conflict resolution strategies by the older persons

“…The level of psychological well-being has an impact on the risk of the developing hypertension, which was confirmed by scientific studies [40,41]. Health professionals confirm a significant cross-correlation between hypertension and depressive disorders [20]. Consequently, a higher level of psychological resistance to the various conflict situations of elderly women with hypertension can be explained by a direct relationship between the state of health of these patients in stressful conflict situations and a calm state.…”

“…It is known that interpersonal conflicts are the most common types of chronic stress [17], which in its turn leads to the development of hypertensive diseases [18,19]. Scientists believe that stress is an important factor in the development of hypertension due to the fact that the heart rate is significantly increased under stress conditions [20]. Eventually, various stress and depression states are barriers to the treatment of hypertension in patients of varying gender and age [21].…”

Development of a Self Report Stress Scale Using Item Response Theory-I: Item Selection, Formation of Factor Structure and Examination of Its Psychometric Properties

“…Since the concept of stress had been studied for a long time (3)(4)(5), the relationship between stress and other variables had also been investigated. In this study, self esteem (105)(106)(107), anxiety (108)(109)(110), and depression (111)(112)(113)(114)(115) were chosen as the most investigated variables. For criterion-related validity, it was observed that the scale had the expected relationship between the related variables.…”