A Study on Self-care Behavior Types of Hypertensives : Q-methodological Approach

고혈압환자의 자가간호행위 유형에 관한 연구 : Q 방법론 적용

Essential hypertension is a typical chronic disease requiring adequate and continuous management. And many studies supported that self-care was the essential factor to promote the wellbeing. The purpose of this study is to identify and understand the behavior patterns of self-care in hypertensives. As a research method, 35 Q-statements were collected through Individual interviews and review of the related literatures. 21 subjects were interviewed and the data were analyzed by the PC QUANL program with principal component analysis. There were 6 different self-care types classified as follows 1) Type 1 was the self-oriented control type, monitoring the blood pressure and taking the low salt diet. But they didn't take the anti -hypertensive drug and visit the health agency regularly. 2) Type 2 was the stress-control type. Their main activities were meditation to relieve the stress and communication with family. 3) Type 3 was called daily-life control type. This type tried to make their mind comfort and think positively. They also preferred walking and exercise regularly. 4) Type 4 was the medical-oriented control type, taking the anti-hypertensive drug, visiting the medical personnel and following the medical regimens. 5) Type 5 was the medication-oriented type. They only took the anti -hypertensive drug regularly and didn't any other self-care like as monitoring the blood pressure, taking the low salt diet and exercise. 6) Type 6 was called non-medication control type. This type had no medication, but tried to visit the health agency and health personnel. From the above results, it can be concluded that the self-care types were very various and self-care education have to provide individually according to the characteristics of self-care type. Another repeated study can be recommended to improve the nursing intervention the self-care behavior in chronic patient like as diabetics or rheumatoid arthritis.