Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model of demographic and sociobehavioral characteristics common among older adults with hypertension (HTN) who engage in self-management behavior. A descriptive, correlational predictive design was used to collect data at 14 faith-based and senior citizen organizations in a major urban northeastern city. Participants ranged in age from 63 to 96 with a mean age of 77 (SD 6.9). A 33-item questionnaire was used to gather data on 15 explanatory and 5 outcome variables. Instruments were the Perceived Stress Scale, the Duke Social Support Index, the stage of change for physical activity scale, and the DASH Food Frequency Questionnaire. Correlation and regression analyses were used to test the hypothesis. Results indicate there is a common set of characteristics such as higher stage of change, reading food labels, and higher self-rated health that can predict the older adult's likelihood to engage in hypertension self-management behavior. The significant correlations found in this preliminary study warrant further study and validation. Findings are clinically relevant as knowledge of demographic and sociobehavioral characteristics associated with engagement in self-management behavior enables health care clinicians to support and encourage older adults to improve management of this common, chronic condition.
Highlights
In the US, hypertension (HTN) is ranked as the most common primary diagnosis for which adults seek medical attention [1]
This project aimed to test the hypothesis that there is a common set of characteristics that can predict the older hypertensive adults who are likely to engage in self-management behavior
Regression analyses were conducted to determine if the independent variables, demographic and sociobehavioral characteristics, were predictive of the five self-management behaviors
Summary
In the US, hypertension (HTN) is ranked as the most common primary diagnosis for which adults seek medical attention [1]. One Healthy People 2020 objective is to increase the proportion of prehypertensive and hypertensive adults who meet the recommended guidelines for body mass index (BMI), saturated fat consumption, sodium intake, physical activity, and alcohol consumption [6]. This objective supports the importance of self-management behaviors for HTN prevention and Advances in Preventive Medicine management across all stages and mirrors lifestyle change recommendations by the JNC-8. Overwhelming, substantive evidence exists on the significant effects of self-management behavior on blood pressure [1, 8] Studies demonstrate it is possible for adults, including older adults, to achieve lower blood pressure by adopting selfmanagement behaviors. Nonpharmacological management of HTN, the challenge begins with determining those most likely to engage in self-management behaviors
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