Psychosocial Factors, Self-Care and Medication Adherence among Individuals Living with Hypertension in Greece: A Study Protocol
T. Stamoulis, Z. Konstanti, E. Laiou, M. Gouva, M. KourakosIntroduction
Hypertension is a major chronic health issue affecting individuals in all parts of the world, with psychosocial factors playing a key role in adherence to treatment and engagement in essential self-care behaviors. Personality traits and perceived quality of life may influence these processes, making it essential to understand these associations for the development of personalized, psychologically informed interventions.
Objectives
This study aims to investigate the psychosocial profile of adults diagnosed with hypertension in Greece and examine its relationship with self-care behaviors and medication adherenceSpecifically, the study will explore the associations between personality traits, quality of life, self-care behaviors, and adherence to antihypertensive treatment.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional, observational study currently underway, with data collection having commenced in early 2025. Data are being collected from a convenience sample of individuals with elevated blood pressure in primary care settings across Greece. The study instruments include: a demographic questionnaire, the SF-36 Health Survey (for quality of life assessment), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) (for personality traits), the Self-Care of Hypertension Inventory, version 3 (SC-HI v3), and the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Descriptive and inferential statistics are being employed to examine the associations between psychological factors, self-care, and medication adherence.
Results
It is expected that certain personality profiles (e.g., high neuroticism, low conscientiousness) and lower levels of perceived quality of life will be associated with reduced adherence to antihypertensive therapy and lower self-care engagement. These findings align with existing literature, suggesting that psychosocial factors significantly influence treatment adherence and self-care practices among people living with hypertension. The results will help inform clinical practice by highlighting the importance of incorporating psychosocial assessments into routine hypertension management.
Conclusions
This protocol outlines a planned study examining the intersection of personality, quality of life, self-care, and medication adherence in people in Greece who are managing hypertension. By identifying psychological and behavioral patterns, the study seeks to provide a foundation for targeted psychosocial interventions aimed at improving outcomes for individuals living with elevated blood pressure.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared