Spiritual well-being, resilience, and health-promoting lifestyle among older adult hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension, commonly known as the silent killer, is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders among older adults and represents a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Spiritual well-being appears to play a critical role in fostering resilience and facilitating the adoption of a health-promoting lifestyle in older hypertensive patients. Consequently, this study was undertaken in southern Iran to investigate the associations among spiritual well-being, resilience, and a health-promoting lifestyle in this population. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study, 230 older adult hypertensive patients attending the Fasa Cardiac Clinic in southern Iran were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a demographic information form and three self-report questionnaires: The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, the Paloutzian and Ellison Spiritual Health Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and linear regression analyses, with significance determined at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 64.36 ± 6.06 years, with the majority being male (66.90%) and residing in urban areas (94.80%). Among the participants, 70.44% were married and 41.74% were employed in government positions. The mean scores for the health-promoting lifestyle, spiritual well-being, and resilience measures were 127.70 ± 17.30, 83.30 ± 18.40, and 62.50 ± 14.10, respectively. Furthermore, significant direct correlations were observed between spiritual well-being and resilience (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) and between spiritual well-being and a health-promoting lifestyle (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). Additionally, a robust positive correlation emerged between health-promoting lifestyle and resilience (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), with spiritual well-being proving to be a significant predictor of both a health-promoting lifestyle and resilience in this cohort. Conclusion: In light of the demonstrated predictive role of spiritual well-being in enhancing both resilience and the adoption of health-promoting behaviors, interventions aimed at bolstering spiritual well-being may serve as a valuable resource. This approach holds promise for improving the overall health of older adults and potentially reducing the incidence of chronic diseases often linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices.