THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ALEXITHYMIA, SOCIAL SUPPORT AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN OWERRI MUNICIPALITY, IMO STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the association between Alexithymia, Social Support andQuality of Life of Hypertensive Patients in Owerri Municipality, Imo State. The study utilized across-sectional survey design. The participants responded to self-report measures, such as theToronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) developed by Bagby, Parker and Taylor (1994); The WHOquality of life (WHOQOL-BRIEF) questionnaire and the Multidimensional Perceived SocialSupport Scale (MPSSS) developed by Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet and Farley (1988). Two (2)hypotheses were postulated and tested. Three hundred and two (302) participants were drawn fromdifferent private hospitals in Imo State, using both purposive and convenience sampling techniques.The participants’ ages range between 35 and 74 years. The study used descriptive statistics andHierarchical Multiple Regression to analyze the data. The results showed that social support (β =.24, t = 4.487, p < .01) significantly predicts the quality of life of hypertensive patients in OwerriMunicipality. On the other hand, alexithymia (β = .40, t = -7.446, p < .01) negatively andsignificantly predicts the quality of life of hypertensive patients in Imo State. The study’s findingscontribute significantly to the understanding of how social support and alexithymia intricately shapethe quality of life of hypertensive patients in Imo State. The researcher recommends, thus, thatclinical psychologists be posted to every healthcare facility for the well-being of hypertensivepatients and others who may need their services.