Attitudes toward antipsychotic medications as a useful feature in exploring medication non-adherence in schizophrenia

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the interest in the attitudes toward antipsychotic medication in exploring medication non-adherence.

Methods: Schizophrenic patients (N=120) completed the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire and measures of medication adherence, and clinical outcomes. Comparison between four attitudinal groups and logistic regressions were performed.

Results: High level of adherence varied significantly between attitudinal groups (Accepting, 70%; Indifferent, 63%; Ambivalent, 50%; Sceptical, 14%; p<0.001). Poor insight and psychic side effects were the most significant predictors of negative beliefs.

Conclusion: The attitudinal groups approach could facilitate the identification of patients with non-adherence and determine individual targets of interventions to improve negative beliefs.

Keywords: Adherence; Antipsychotic; Attitudes; Beliefs; Necessity-concerns framework; Schizophrenia.