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 and
Quality of Life of Hypertensive Patients in Owerri Municipality, Imo State. The study utilized a
cross-sectional survey design. The participants responded to self-report measures, such as the
Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) developed by Bagby, Parker and Taylor (1994); The WHO
quality of life (WHOQOL-BRIEF) questionnaire and the Multidimensional Perceived Social
Support 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 from
different 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 and
Hierarchical 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 Owerri
Municipality. On the other hand, alexithymia (β = .40, t = -7.446, p < .01) negatively and
significantly predicts the quality of life of hypertensive patients in Imo State. The study’s findings
contribute significantly to the understanding of how social support and alexithymia intricately shape
the quality of life of hypertensive patients in Imo State. The researcher recommends, thus, that
clinical psychologists be posted to every healthcare facility for the well-being of hypertensive
patients and others who may need their services.