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Coping style in hypertensive patients: nature and consequences
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Hypertensive patients use information-seeking coping styles more than normotensive patients. Despite reporting less dysfunction, they show greater health concerns and desire more help for medical and stress-related issues.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Medical Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Hypertension management requires understanding patient coping mechanisms.
- Health behaviors significantly influence patient outcomes in primary care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare coping styles and health behaviors between hypertensive and normotensive patients.
- To investigate patient concerns and desire for help regarding medical and stress-related issues.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of coping styles (high-monitoring vs. low-monitoring).
- Assessment of health behaviors and patient-reported dysfunction.
- Physician ratings on patient desire for help.
Main Results:
- Hypertensive patients exhibited a "high-monitoring" (information-seeking) coping style more frequently than normotensive patients.
- Hypertensive individuals reported greater concerns about their condition and its impact, despite less perceived dysfunction.
- Physicians rated hypertensive patients as more likely to seek help for presenting and stress-related problems.
Conclusions:
- Coping style is a key differentiator between hypertensive and normotensive patients.
- Hypertension is associated with heightened health concerns and a greater desire for support.
- Further research is needed to clarify the interplay between coping, stress, and symptom reporting in hypertension.