The association of emotional well-being and marital status with treatment adherence among patients with hypertension

J Behav Med. 2008 Dec;31(6):489-97. doi: 10.1007/s10865-008-9173-4. Epub 2008 Sep 9.

Abstract

We were interested in examining the relationship between psychosocial factors and hypertension-related behaviors. We hypothesized that lower emotional well-being and unmarried status would be related to higher BP, poorer medication adherence, greater difficulty adhering to diet and exercise, and current smoking. In a cross-sectional design, 636 hypertensive patients completed the Mental Component Summary (MCS) Scale of the SF-12 and rated their difficulty with adherence to diet, exercise, and medication-taking. In logistic regression analyses, lower MCS scores were associated with difficulty adhering to diet (OR = 0.97, p < .05) and exercise (OR = 0.97, p < .01), and current smoking status (OR = 0.98, p < .05). Being married was associated with higher probability of medication adherence (OR = 1.66, p < .01) and a lower probability of being a current smoker (OR = 0.34, p < .0001). Neither MCS scores nor being married were related to BP levels in adjusted analyses. Results emphasize the importance of assessing psychosocial factors to optimize hypertension treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Attitude to Health
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Hypertension / psychology*
  • Male
  • Marital Status*
  • Medication Adherence / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Psychology

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents