Psychological interventions in health and diseases
Monirosadat Hosseini; Hengameh Boloorsaz Mashhadi
Abstract
Objective: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, which, if not properly managed, can lead to numerous psychological and social consequences in addition to physical health issues, ultimately reducing quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion ...
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Objective: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, which, if not properly managed, can lead to numerous psychological and social consequences in addition to physical health issues, ultimately reducing quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotion regulation-based therapy on anger rumination and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with primary hypertension. Method: This semi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control group design with a two-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all women diagnosed with primary hypertension who were referred to Moheb Hospital in Tehran in 2025. Using convenience sampling, 30 participants were selected and randomly assigned to two equal groups (15 participants each). Data were collected using a demographic information checklist, the Anger Rumination Scale, the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, and a digital upper arm blood pressure monitor. The intervention group received emotion regulation-based therapy based on Gross’s protocol, delivered in 8 sessions (twice weekly, each session lasting one hour). Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. All ethical issues were addressed in this study, and the authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.Results: Emotion regulation-based therapy had a significant effect on reducing anger rumination (F = 89.365, p < 0.015), Reduction in systolic blood pressure (F=22.621 and p<0.011), Reduction in diastolic blood pressure (F=40.076 and p<0.006), and improving health-related quality of life (F = 97.943, p < 0.002) in patients with primary hypertension. The effect sizes for anger rumination and HRQoL were 0.36, Systolic blood pressure 0.40, diastolic blood pressure 0.38, and 0.47, respectively. These effects persisted at the two-month follow-up.Conclusion: The findings indicate that emotion regulation-based therapy can effectively enhance behavioral outcomes, blood pressure, and improve quality of life in individuals with hypertension. It is recommended that such psychological interventions be integrated with pharmacological treatments in rehabilitation and care programs to enhance the psychological and behavioral functioning of these patients.
