title: Predictors of self-reported antidepressant adherence.
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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. tara.burra@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Tara A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Burra
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Roger S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.forename: Emma Robertson
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Blackmore
authors.forename: Donna E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012650:Self Disclosure; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016312:Treatment Refusal / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents