Hypertension, Lifestyle Stress, and Resilience: A Health Psychology Study in Saharsa District

The present study titled “Hypertension, Lifestyle Stress, and Resilience: A Health Psychology Study in Saharsa District” examines the interrelationship between hypertension, psychological distress, coping strategies, and resilience among adults in a semi-rural Indian setting. The primary objectives were to assess levels of perceived stress, anxiety, depression, coping styles, stigma perception, and social support, and to evaluate subgroup differences based on gender and residence. A cross-sectional design was employed, with a randomly selected sample of 78 hypertensive adults (42 males, 36 females) residing in Saharsa district. Standardized tools including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) were administered. Descriptive statistics were computed, and independent samples t-tests were conducted to examine gender differences in psychological distress and coping. Results revealed moderate levels of stress and distress, accompanied by satisfactory resilience and social support. The t-test analysis indicated no statistically significant gender differences in distress or coping, suggesting a broadly shared psychosocial burden across men and women. Findings underscore the critical role of resilience and social networks in managing hypertension-related stress. Implications for clinical psychology practice include the integration of stress-reduction interventions, resilience training, and stigma reduction into community-based chronic illness management. Broader applications to tuberculosis management programs highlight the importance of embedding psychosocial care within medical treatment frameworks to enhance adherence and well-being.