Roles of Emotional Reactivity, Risk Perception and Gender in Health-Related Quality of Life Among Hypertensive Patients in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Hypertension is a chronic condition associated with significant physical and psychological burdens, yet
the psychosocial factors influencing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hypertensive
patients remain underexplored in Nigeria. While emotional reactivity and risk perception have been
shown to affect health outcomes in various populations, their specific roles in the HRQoLof hypertensive
individuals in sub-Saharan Africa are not well understood.This study investigated the roles of emotional
reactivity, risk perception, and gender on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among 226 hypertensive
patients in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Participants were drawn from four hospitals, representing
government, missionary, and private facilities. The sample comprised 124 males and 102 females, aged
26 to 72 years, with a mean age of 59.36 years (SD = 8.74). Data were collected using the Perth Emotional
Reactivity Scale, SF-36 Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Risk Attitude Scale. Acrosssectional research design was employed, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to
analyze the data. Findings revealed that emotional reactivity significantly predicted HRQoL (? = .31, p <
.001). However, risk perception as did risk perception and gender were not significant predictors of
HRQoL. These results highlight the critical roles of emotional reactivity in HRQoLamong hypertensive
patients. It is recommended that healthcare providers develop tailored interventions to help hypertensive
patients manage emotional reactivity. Psychoeducational programs and counseling services should be
integrated into hypertension management to enhance patients' emotional functioning and promote better
health outcomes.