Psychosocial Factors and Personality Traits and the Prevalence of Arterial Hypertension Among 35- and 55-Year-Old Men and Women in Sweden and Estonia: a SWESTONIA Longitudinal Study.

Introduction: Psychosocial factors influence the risk of developing hypertension. Personality traits have a modulating effect against the harmful influences of psychosocial factors.

Aim: Through a longitudinal clinical study consisting of men and women aged 35 and 55 at the baseline in Estonia and Sweden, to assess the influence of psychosocial factors and personality traits resulting in arterial hypertension.

Methods: Data analysis based on the cross-sectional study with 2 assessments over 13 years of a sample comprising 158 individuals from Estonia and 213 individuals from Sweden. The Pearlin Mastery Scale, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Depression Model and Gothenburg Quality of Life Instrument were used.

Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a higher depressive mood and lower self-assessed quality of life score prevailed among the 35-year-old and 55-year-old Estonians compared with the Swedish study participants (p < 0.001). Among the 55-year-old Estonian study participants with diagnosed hypertension, but not among the Swedish, negative stressful life events had a significantly stronger effect (p < 0.001) on the risk of developing hypertension. In addition, lower mastery (p < 0.05) dominated among study participants diagnosed with hypertension.

Conclusions: The combined effects of psychosocial factors and personality traits are important variables in predicting the risk of developing arterial hypertension. The study results are relevant to clinical practice and provide suggestions for employing successful preventive measures.