Psychosocial predictors of depression among people living with hypertension: A moderating role of self-compassion

Abstract

The study contributes to the broader understanding of the interplay between physical and mental health. This study investigated the psychosocial (Illness perception, health locus of control and medication adherence) predictors of depression and the moderating roles of self-compassion among hypertensive patients in Lokoja. The study used a cross-sectional survey design to study people living with hypertension. A sample size of 257 participants who responded to structured questionnaires that included measures of Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Health Locus of Control(HLC), Morisky 8- Item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), Nef 's Self-Compassion Scale (Short Form) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). In the study, hypothesis one was tested using multiple regression and hypothes is two was tested using macro conditional process model 1 were used to analyzed the data. The findings indicted that illness perception, health locus of control and medication adherence significantly and jointly predicted depression among hypertensive patients Lokoja (R²= 0.48, F(3,253) = 4.231 p<.05), illness perception (β = 0.14, p˂.05) and medication adherence (β = 0.15, p˂.05) showed significant independent contribution to depression among hypertensive patients. While health locus of control ( β = -.05, p>.05) had no independent prediction of depression among hypertensive patients. The findings revealed no significant moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between illness perception and depression among hypertensive patients (β = 0.012, P> 0.05), [95% CI: (-0.01, 0.02)]. Furthermore, the findings revealed no significant moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between health locus of control and depression (β = 0.007, P> 0.05), [95% CI: -0.00, 0.01)]. Lastly, the findings revealed no significant moderating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between medication adherence and depression (β=0.005, P>0.05), [95% CI: -0.04, 0.0.5)]. Overall, the findings suggest that addressing illness perceptions and medication adherence in hypertensive patients could be valuable tools for managing depression alongside hypertension itself. By implementing interventions that target these factors, healthcare professionals may be able to improve both physical and mental health outcomes for their patients. In conclusion, according to the study's findings, it is recommended that interventions ought to be customized to take variations of self-compassion into consideration because the effect of self-compassion on depression may vary depending on their levels. Future studies could explore additional moderating psychological constructs like resilience, social support, or coping strategies.