Psychological stress among hypertensive male patients in Jordan: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a global, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, imposing a significant burden due to its high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of psychological stress among hypertensive patients in Jordan and identify the factors associated with psychological stress. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on hypertensive patients at three community healthcare clinics in Jordan from May to July 2024. A sample of 276 hypertensive male patients was randomly selected, representing 85% of the total patients in the selected clinics. Patients were selected via systematic random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire on psychological stress using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) was employed. The data were collected through Google Forms and analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 27). RESULTS: A total of 276 hypertensive males participated in the study, and the mean score of psychological stress was 16.02(± 7.59). The prevalence of psychological stress was 55.1%, with 60 (39.5%) experiencing mild stress and 57 (37.5%) experiencing moderate stress. Chronic diseases and inadequate exercise were significantly associated with psychological stress (p-values: 0.003 and < 0.001, respectively). Participants reporting stressful work were more than four times more likely to experience psychological stress than those who did not report work-related stress (OR = 4.06; 95% CI: 2.00-8.25; p < 0.001). A stressful home environment and insufficient sleep were also significantly associated with psychological stress (p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight a strong association between psychological stress and hypertension. Factors such as chronic diseases, insufficient exercise, occupational stress, a stressful home environment, and inadequate sleep contribute to psychological stress among hypertensive patients. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare providers in developing tailored interventions to alleviate stress while managing hypertension.