Personality differences between hypertensive patients and normotensive persons

Background: Hypertension happens to be a major health problem and a significant cause of poor health and wellbeing all over the globe as well as being responsible for over thousands of deaths. People with hypertension are said to differ in their personality constellation in comparison to normal people. Objective: This study was designed to examine the differences in personality characteristics of hypertensive and normal people. Method: In all, 55 hypertensive and 100 normal subjects comprised the sample. They were administered 16 PF questionnaire and SES scale. Results: The analyses of data revealed that hypertensive patients scored significantly higher means on E, H, I, Q3 and Q4 factors than the normal subjects. Conclusion: The findings indicate that there exist personality differences between hypertensive and normal individuals and there is a need of intervention, based specifically on bio psycho-social approach, for enhancing wellbeing of hypertensive patients. The results are thoroughly discussed and limitations and suggestions are also mentioned.