Non-Compliance With Treatment in Patients Suffering From Schizophrenia: a Study To Evaluate Possible Contributing Factors

Manoj R. Agarwal, Vimal K. Sharma, Kishore Kumar K.V. and Derek Lowe

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 1998, vol. 44, issue 2, 92-106

Abstract: Background. Various factors have been associated with non-compliance with treatment in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine this association using standardised measures. Method. Compliance was determined and socio-demographic and illness variables recorded. Insight, subjective response to medication and relatives' knowledge and attitude about schizophrenia were measured. Results. Non-compliant patients were younger, had shorter durations of illness, had an episodic course of illness, reported side-effects less frequently, made incorrect attributions to current positive symptoms more frequently and had a more negative subjective response to medication. Key relatives of non-compliant patients were more often employed. Conclusions. Patients need to experience for themselves the merits of taking medication before accepting the need to take them long-term. Psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioural interventions need to be targeted at changing attribu tions to current positive symptoms. The presence of a key person in the community is crucial to improve compliance.

Date: 1998
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:44:y:1998:i:2:p:92-106

DOI: 10.1177/002076409804400202

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