Study of the relationship between aggression and chronic diseases (diabetes and hypertension)

Area of Science:

• Psychosomatic medicine
• Clinical psychology
• Behavioral medicine

Background:

• Focuses on diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension, common psychosomatic conditions.
• Investigates aggression as a potential factor in these chronic diseases.
• Utilizes the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire for assessment in a Bulgarian population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine aggression as both a predictor and a correlate of diabetes and hypertension.
• To understand the relationship between aggression subtypes and these chronic conditions.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 142 participants (54 men, 88 women) was studied.
• Participants included individuals with musculoskeletal disorders (n=36), diabetes mellitus (n=54), and hypertension (n=52).
• The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire was administered to measure aggression levels.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in anger and hostility were found in 95% of cases among patients with diabetes, hypertension, and musculoskeletal disorders.
• Patients with arterial hypertension displayed the highest levels of physical aggression (M=17.32±0.86).
• Patients with diabetes showed the highest verbal aggression (M=15.24±0.64), while hypertension patients reported the highest anger (M=17.96±0.90) and hostility (M=19.15±0.86).

Conclusions:

• Aggression, particularly anger and hostility, is significantly associated with diabetes, hypertension, and musculoskeletal disorders.
• Distinct patterns of aggression subtypes are linked to specific chronic conditions.
• Findings highlight the importance of assessing aggression in the management of psychosomatic diseases.