Relationship between Coping Mechanisms to Psychosocial Stress with Blood Pressure in Young Adults: A Pilot Study

Authors

  • Sithu Aung Department of Basic Medical Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang
  • Ramli Musa Department of Psychiatry, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang
  • Jamalludin Rahman A Department of Community Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang
  • Azarisman Shah M Department of Internal Medicine, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University, Malaysia, Pahang
  • Aszrin Abdullah Department of Basic Medical Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v17i3.37000

Keywords:

Psychosocial stress, hypertension, plasma cortisol

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Prehypertension is a precursor of hypertension, with high prevalence in young adults. Psychosocial stress can be one of the modifiable risk factors for hypertension. The objective of the study is to assess the relationship between coping mechanism to psychosocial stress and the blood pressure of young adults.

Methods: A comparative crosssectional pilot study was conducted in 36 young adults aged less than 45 years. The pulse rate, blood pressure and body mass index of the respondents were recorded. Psychosocial stress was measured by plasma cortisol following an acute mental stress test; and the level of stress and the coping strategies to stress were assessed using validated Malay Version questionnaires: DASS- 21 and Brief R-COPE questionnaires.

Results: Forty four percent of subjects had normotension and fifty six percent had above-normal blood pressure (prehypertension and mild hypertension). Subjects with above-normal blood pressure were associated with high plasma cortisol levels (p = 0.032), and high body mass indexes (BMI) (p = 0.004). Maladaptive coping strategy was found to be associated with high stress scores (p = 0.019). The relationship between stress and cortisol was not significant, though a higher cortisol level was noted in the high blood pressure group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, higher cortisol levels and greater BMIs were associated with above-normal blood pressure in young adults. These findings are useful for future research in this area, and the continuation of this study will hopefully yield a more significant relationship.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.17(3) 2018 p.439-445

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Author Biography

Sithu Aung, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang



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Published

2018-06-29

How to Cite

Aung, S., Musa, R., A, J. R., M, A. S., & Abdullah, A. (2018). Relationship between Coping Mechanisms to Psychosocial Stress with Blood Pressure in Young Adults: A Pilot Study. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 17(3), 439–445. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v17i3.37000

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Original Articles

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