Investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention on aggression in women with hypertension

Background and aims: Aggression with physiological arousal can lead to worsening hypertension. The use of non-medical and cognitive approaches can help to reduce these effects. This study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of group cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention on aggression in women with hypertension. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done with a pretest-posttest control group for a month in 2013. Statistical population were women with hypertension who admitted to 22 Bahman hospital of Masjed-Soleyman that informed consent. Samples were 40 women with hypertension who were randomly selected and divided into two groups of 20 people testing and control. Stress management cognitive behavioral training in 10 sessions of 60 minutes (twice a week) in the experimental group was provided. This intervention was generally content: Identify rational self-talk and replace rational thought, learning types coping style, diaphragmatic breath practice and muscle relaxation, mental imagery training and anger management and problem solving skills and stress management.The assessment tool was Ahvaz Aggression questionnaire. Data using SPSS software through multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and Pearson, were analyzed. Results: In this study, 40 women with an average age of 35.03 years with hypertension were enrolled. There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of age, marital status and occupation (P>0.05). The results showed that stress management teaching intervention based on cognitive behavioral approach was significant on reducing aggression in the experimental group (P>0.0001). Conclusion: Stress management training can be used as a model for intervention to reduce aggression in the women with hypertension.