The Relationship Between Hope and Meaning in Life with Medication Adherence Among Elderly Hypertensive Patients

Background: Hope and meaning in life influence medication adherence among the elderly with chronic conditions, including hypertension. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between hope and meaning in life and medication adherence in the elderly with hypertension. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between hope and meaning in life and medication adherence in older adults with hypertension. Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional descriptive-correlation study on 200 senior adults with hypertension who were referred to health centers in Mahmoudabad city by a multi-stage cluster sampling method. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), and the Snyder Hope Questionnaire (SHQ) were used to collect data. Results: The average age of the elderly participants was 68.5 ± 7.08 years. Among them, 32.5% demonstrated strong medication adherence, 32% had moderate adherence, and 35.5% showed poor adherence. The mean scores indicated moderate levels of hope and medication adherence, while meaning in life was rated high across all dimensions. After controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors, hope and meaning in life were found to be directly associated with medication adherence. Specifically, a one-point increase in hope was associated with a 1% higher probability of medication adherence [odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, P = 0.049], and a one-point increase in meaning in life was associated with a 1% increase in adherence probability (OR = 1.01, P < 0.001). Additionally, medication adherence showed a positive and moderate correlation with both hope and meaning in life. Conclusions: The study's findings underscore the necessity of incorporating psychological support into the nursing care of older patients with hypertension. Nurses may improve medication adherence and overall health outcomes for older people with hypertension by instilling hope and meaning in their lives.