[Prognostic value of psychological characteristics in the evolution of borderline arterial hypertension].

Psychodiagnostic screening, using the MMPI test, was carried out in 130 individuals with marginal arterial hypertension (MAH) and 87 normotensive subjects. Individuals with MAH showed anxiety, inner tension, rigidity, a tendency to absorption in disease, and fixation on health. Lowered SMAL fourth-scale profile in MAH individuals may serve as a psychological indicator of a risk of essential hypertension.

[Psychological characteristics of patients with cardialgia].

A psychological study, using the MMPI scale, the 16 PF test, the control locus test and Lüscher's color test, was carried out in 41 patients with chest pains, including 25 patients with mitral prolapse (MP) and 16 patients with first or second-stage essential hypertension, osteochondrosis and neurocirculatory dystonia. Psychological disadaptation with a sense of inner discomfort was found to be common for all patients. However, the pattern of disadaptation was different in patients with and without MP: MP-free patients had psychological problems, typical for neurotic personality, while the typical problems of the MP patients concerned interpersonal contacts, apparently as a result of unbalanced personality structures.

[Psychological characteristics related to arterial hypertension and smoking (data of a population study)].

An epidemiologic study of psychosocial variables, related to arterial hypertension and smoking, was carried out in 2039 men and women between 25 and 60 years of age. A relationship has been established between coronary risk factors and psychosocial characteristics, particularly social and psychologic adaptation. The data obtained can be useful for planning future studies of psychosocial features of individuals with arterial hypertension and smoking as coronary risk factors as well as the choice of psychosocial intervention methods.

Psychological correlates of different arterial pressure levels (according to data from population screening).

On the basis of data obtained from psychodiagnostic examination of 2039 men and women aged 25 to 60 years performed within the framework of epidemiological research programmes of the Institute of Preventive Cardiology in Moscow, the psychological variables associated with three different levels of arterial pressure (normal, borderline and elevated pressure) were studied. The results showed a relationship between the blood pressure levels and different degree of socio-psychological maladjustment. In subjects with elevated pressure there was a higher occurrence of conflicts in fundamental life spheres, the presence of emotional tension and intrapersonal problems.

[Psychological aspects of increased patient participation in prophylactic programs on treating arterial hypertension].

The MMPI and 16-PF scales were used in assessing 146 patients with first- and second-stage essential hypertension, according to the WHO classification. It was shown that the degree of patients' compliance was related to their personality features. The results of the study may be useful in determining differential psychotherapeutic approaches, geared specifically to the patients who declined or discontinued treatment.