Self-Management and Resilience Trajectories in African American Adults With Hypertension

Hypertension (HTN) rates have increased worldwide, but the most significant increase in the incidence of morbidity and mortality has been in African Americans (AA) (43% vs 27% for other U.S. population groups). Despite evidence of positive benefits from lifestyle modification (healthy diet, reduced sodium intake, increased physical activity, smoking cessation) and prescribed antihypertensive therapy (AHT) many AA with HTN do not adhere to their treatment regimens. Consistent, effective lifelong self-management is required to sustain optimal BP control and thus reduce morbidity and mortality. Self-managing HTN to a blood pressure (BP) <130/80 mm Hg presents challenges such as juggling multiple medications and health care providers, dealing with complex recommendations and treatment regimens, and coping with negative emotional states. Few studies have examined the biopsychosocial mechanisms that foster effective HTN self-management and resilience among AA living with HTN. Understanding the mechanisms that influence HTN self-management and resilience in AA holds the promise of new modifiable targets for behavior-change interventions. This study explores the relationship among resilience precursors on hypertension (HTN) self-management behaviors, stress response, and the effects that these relationships have on health outcomes-health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and blood pressure (BP) in African Americans (AA) with HTN over a 6-month period.