Depression, Perfectionism, and Hypertension in the Elderly: A Path Analysis Examining Worry, Ambiguity Tolerance, and Problem-Solving

Masood  Ghorbanalipour; Shahla  Alilou; Kosar  Babalou; Nika  Akbarlou

doi:10.18502/ehj.v10i1.15968

Masood Ghorbanalipour Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Azad University of Urmia, Khoy, Urmia, Iran
Shahla Alilou Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Azad University of Urmia, Khoy, Urmia, Iran
Kosar Babalou Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Azad University of Urmia, Khoy, Urmia, Iran
Nika Akbarlou Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Azad University of Urmia, Khoy, Urmia, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ehj.v10i1.15968

Keywords: Hypertension, Worry, Depression, Perfectionism, Ambiguity Tolerance

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a prevalent condition among the elderly, significantly contributing to the burden of cardiovascular disease and related complications. This study examined how depression and perfectionism influence hypertension in older adults. It also explored how worry, tolerance for ambiguity, and problem-solving skills might influence this relationship.

Methods: Researchers recruited 192 participants with hypertension from a health center in Khoy city, Urmia, Iran. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed depression, perfectionism, worry, ambiguity tolerance, and problem-solving skills. Statistical methods were used to analyze the data and identify relationships between these factors and hypertension.

Results: Depression, perfectionism, worry, and ambiguity tolerance were all significantly associated with hypertension. Interestingly, problem-solving skills were not linked to blood pressure. Further analysis revealed that worry played a reinforcing role in the link between depression/perfectionism and hypertension, while ambiguity tolerance had a protective effect. In other words, higher worry levels strengthened the association between depression/perfectionism and high blood pressure, while greater tolerance for ambiguity lessened this association.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that emotional factors like worry and intolerance for ambiguity can significantly impact blood pressure in older adults. Therefore, managing these emotions alongside depression and perfectionistic tendencies may be crucial for controlling hypertension.