PREDICTION OF ILLNESS PERCEPTION, RELIGIOSITY, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AMONG ADULTS WITH HYPERTENSION IN BHUTAN

Abstract

Psychological stress is known to have negative effect on the control of high blood pressure. Several factors are reported to influence psychological stress. The purpose of this study was to examine the prediction of illness perception, religiosity, and social support on psychological stress among adults with hypertension in Bhutan. Sample consisted of 120 adults with hypertension visiting medical out-patient department of Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and standard linear regression analysis.

Results revealed that more than half of the participants were female (59.2%), in the age group of 51-60 years (45%), married (90%), completed high school education (40%), and worked in government service (27.5%). About 79.1% of them were overweight and obese, and more than half of them had uncontrolled BP (55%). About half were on one antihypertensive drug therapy (41.7%). Approximately fifty-six percent had family history of hypertension and the mean duration of hypertension was 9 years. The most common comorbidity was diabetes (23.3%). A moderate level of psychological stress (x̄ = 20.23, SD = 5.58) was reported in this study. From the multiple linear regression analysis, psychological stress was predicted by illness perception (β = .72, p < .001) and social support (β = -.15, p = .04), whereas religiosity was not a significant predictor (β = -.22, p = .71). The regression model accounted for 67% of the variance for psychological stress.

The findings support the role of illness perception and social support in explaining psychological stress among hypertension patients. Future studies may develop nursing interventions to manage psychological stress in patients with hypertension by reducing illness perception and increasing the social support.

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