The Prevalence and Psychosocial Correlates of Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Hypertension

Jeon, Da Jeong; Kim, Sang Hoon; Park, Sang Hag; Yoon, Hyung Jun; Kim, Seung Gon; Kim, Jung Ho

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study investigated the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of depressive symptoms in patients with hypertension.
METHODS
The participants were 124 outpatients with hypertension who were treated at the Department of cardiology, Chosun University Hospital. Each subject was assessed concerning depressive symptom severity, state-trait anger, ego resilience, social conflict, and perceived stress using self-report questionnaires. A logistic regression model was constructed to examine the impact of psychosocial factors on depressive symptoms.
RESULTS
A total of 37.1% of participants were identified as having depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were positively correlated with perceived stress, trait anger, social conflict, and state anger. On the other hand, ego resilience was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Further, perceived stress and state anger were related to a higher risk of depressive symptoms whereas ego resilience were associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated a high prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with hypertension. Moreover, several possible risk and protective psychosocial factors of depressive symptoms were determined. Especially, our findings suggest that improving ego resilience as well as lowering perceived stress and state anger would be important in the prevention and management of depression in patients with hypertension.