The Association Between Hypertension Duration and Anxiety Levels Among Older Adults in Pentadio Timur, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Keywords:
Hypertension, Anxiety, Older Adults, Disease Duration, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, IndonesiaAbstract
Background: Hypertension is a common chronic condition among older adults and may coexist with psychological distress, including anxiety. Living with a chronic diagnosis over many years can involve continuing treatment, concern about complications, and changes in daily functioning. This study examined the association between the duration of hypertension and anxiety levels among older adults in Pentadio Timur Village, Telaga Biru District, Gorontalo Regency, Indonesia.
Methods: An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 68 older adults with hypertension selected through purposive sampling. Duration of hypertension was recorded and categorized as short (1–5 years), moderate (6–10 years), or long (>10 years). Anxiety was assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (ZSAS) and categorized according to the study’s scoring protocol. Descriptive statistics and a Chi-square test were used to examine the association, with statistical significance set at α = 0.05.
Results: Twenty participants (29.4%) had hypertension for 1–5 years, 22 (32.4%) for 6–10 years, and 26 (38.2%) for more than 10 years. Mild anxiety was identified in 38 participants (55.9%), while 30 (44.1%) were classified in the higher-anxiety category. The reported cross-tabulation showed no participants in the higher-anxiety category among those with a 1–5-year history, four among those with a 6–10-year history, and 26 among those with hypertension for more than 10 years. The thesis reports a statistically significant association (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: In this sample, longer duration of hypertension was associated with a higher anxiety category. The cross-sectional design does not establish causality, and the finding should be interpreted in light of the single-community setting, purposive sampling, and the need to verify the statistical test assumptions and scoring details. Routine assessment of psychological well-being may be considered alongside hypertension management in older adults.
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