title: Mediating role of illness representation among social support, therapeutic alliance, experience of medication side effects, and medication adherence in persons with schizophrenia.
abstract: The purpose of this cross-sectional research study was to examine factors affecting medication adherence in Thai individuals with schizophrenia. The Common-Sense Model of Illness Representation was used to guide the study. Two hundred twenty-five subjects met the inclusion criteria and were interviewed. Variables of interest focused on experience of medication side effects, therapeutic alliance, social support, illness representation, and behavior change with medication adherence. Results indicated that therapeutic alliance and the experience of medication side effects enhanced illness representation, which in turn led to an intention to change adherence behavior. Social support did not alter illness representation or adherence behavior. Because illness representation positively influenced patients' intention to change adherence behavior, mental health nurses should promote patients' perception about their illness to enhance medication adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. ramrs@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Malatee
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rungruangsiripan
authors.forename: Yajai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sitthimongkol
authors.forename: Wantana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maneesriwongul
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talley
authors.forename: Thavatchai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vorapongsathorn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents