Predictors of Self-Reported Antidepressant Adherence
- 1 January 2007
- journal article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Behavioral Medicine
- Vol. 32 (4), 127-34
- https://doi.org/10.3200/bmed.32.4.127-134
Abstract
The authors' objectives of this research were: (1) to assess levels of selfreported antidepressant adherence and reasons for nonadherence and (2) to investigate determinants of nonadherence. A group of general hospital and community psychiatry practice mood disorder outpatients (n=80) took a self-report questionnaire that assessed beliefs about antidepressants, self-efficacy, and reasons for nonadherence. High levels of adherence were reported: 58 patients (73%) indicated they took their medication as directed more than 80% of the time. Practical issues (e.g., simply forgetting or a change in routine) were the most frequently identified reasons for nonadherence. Patients were more likely to report nonadherence if they experienced a sexual side effect, had lower self-efficacy, were female, and had not completed post-secondary education. Clinicians should be cognizant of this complexity and address not only issues related to medication efficacy and tolerability, but also social mediators and health beliefs when prescribing antidepressants.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Compliance during treatment with antidepressantsJournal of Affective Disorders, 1997