Perceptions and Experiences of Adolescents with Mental Disorders and Their Parents about Psychotropic Medications in Turkey: A Qualitative Study

Gül Dikec, Cansın Kardelen, Laura Pilz González, Marjan Mohammadzadeh, Öznur Bilaç and Christiane Stock
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Gül Dikec: Institute of Health and Nursing Sciences, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Cansın Kardelen: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hafsa Sultan Medical School Hospital, Celal Bayar University, Manisa 45030, Turkey
Laura Pilz González: Institute of Health and Nursing Sciences, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Marjan Mohammadzadeh: Institute of Health and Nursing Sciences, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität, 13353 Berlin, Germany
Öznur Bilaç: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hafsa Sultan Medical School Hospital, Celal Bayar University, Manisa 45030, Turkey
Christiane Stock: Institute of Health and Nursing Sciences, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität, 13353 Berlin, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to evaluate the perception and experiences of adolescents with mental disorders and their parents about the use of and adherence to psychotropic medications. A total of 12 semi-structured interviews with adolescents between the ages of 12 to 18 who were attending an outpatient psychiatric clinic for children and adolescents and 12 interviews with parents were conducted between October 2021 and January 2022 in Manisa, Turkey. Colaizzi’s phenomenological interpretation method was used for the analysis of the participants’ statements. Our study highlights the main positive effects of psychotropic medication and barriers to medication intake and adherence. Positive effects included symptom management and health improvement. Barriers varied from those directly linked to medication effects (e.g., negative side effects or lack of perceived effect) to personal barriers (e.g., forgetting to take medication or feelings of not being oneself due to medication intake) and societal barriers. In general, the barriers were reflected in concerns related to long-term consequences, such as medication dependence, and in concerns about diminished life prospects. Possible recommendations to improve the use of and adherence to psychotropic medication among adolescents include educating adolescents and parents not only about treatment options but also about mental disorders.

Keywords: adherence; adolescent psychiatry; psychotropic drugs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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