A predictive model of the effects of depression, anxiety, stress, six minute walk distance, and social support on health related quality of life in an adult pulmonary hypertension population

Pulmonary hypertension is a life-limiting chronic disease that presents as an elevated blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. The uncertainty of the disease has a profound effect on relationships, cognitive ability, spirituality, emotions, exercise ability, and can negatively impact health related quality of life. The purpose of this cross-sectional, predictive, correlational study was (a) to identify relationships among the psychologic factors (depression, anxiety, stress), physiologic factor (six minute walk test), situational factor (social support), and health related quality of life and (b) to identify psychologic factors (depression, anxiety, stress), physiologic factor (six minute walk test), and situational factor (social support) that best predicts health related quality of life in adults with pulmonary hypertension. A proposed Predictive Model for Adults with Pulmonary Hypertension Health Related Quality of Life was derived from a review of the literature and past pilot study to test relationships among the psychologic factors, physiologic factor, situational factor, and health related quality of life and to identify the best predictor of health related quality of life.;A convenience sample of 166 adults between the ages of 21 years of age to 80 years of age were recruited from the Pulmonary Hypertension Association's 10th International Pulmonary Hypertension Conference and Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida and Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana. Of the 166 participants, 21 (12.7%) were male and 145 (87.3%) were female. Each subject completed two questionnaires: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale- 21 (DASS-21) and the Dartmouth Cooperative Functional Assessment Charts.;The researcher analyzed the data computing measures of central tendency, frequency, and percentiles. The researcher determined internal consistency means of the DASS-21 in this adult pulmonary hypertension population and used correlation and structural equation modeling to measure strength of relationships and test the hypotheses. The findings indicated a relationship between depression, stress, anxiety, six minute walk test, social support, and health related quality of life. The data collected from the adult pulmonary hypertension population fit the proposed Predictive Model for Adults with Pulmonary Hypertension Health Related Quality of Life. However, the statistical analyses were unable to determine the best predictor of health related quality of life in adults with pulmonary hypertension. Future research is warranted to test the efficacy of the Predictive Model for Adults with Pulmonary Hypertension Health Related Quality of Life on a larger and more diverse study population. This study needs further examination with a broader population, including more males, and a more diverse cross-section of cultures and races, income, and educational levels and use of different instruments is needed.