Perceived Social Support and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Hypertensive Patients: A Latent Profile Analysis and the Role of Delay Discounting and Living Alone

Background: Improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among hypertensive individuals has emerged as a significant public health issue. However, current research has ignored the individual heterogeneity of perceived social support (PSS) among hypertensive patients. The potential mechanism of delay discounting (DD), living alone, and PSS on HRQoL remains unclear, and further exploration is required. Aim: This study aimed to ascertain PSS profiles among hypertensive patients and examine the hypotheses that DD mediates the relationship between PSS and HRQoL and that this mediating process is moderated by living alone in hypertensive patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Jiangsu, China. In total, 1815 hypertensive patients completed sociodemographic and HRQoL questionnaires, a PSS scale, and a DD task. Data analyses included a latent profile analysis, chi(2)-test, 2-test, Spearman correlation analysis, and PROCESS macro for regression analysis. Results: Four potential PSS profiles were identified: lowest (3.2%), moderate-low (26.6%), moderate-high (42.4%), and highest (27.8%). DD mediated the association between PSS and HRQoL. The first half of this mediating process was moderated by living alone. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that PSS, DD, and living alone significantly influence the HRQoL of individuals with hypertension. Healthcare professionals should consider variations in PSS among hypertensive patients and implement interventions to reduce DD by enhancing PSS, in order to improve the HRQoL of this population.