Attitudes of patients with schizophrenia toward taking medication

Abstract

The attitude of 50 hospitalized persons with schizophrenia toward taking their medication was examined. Both open-ended and fixed-response estimates of attitude were made. Insight also was measured, and the relationships between insight and attitude and between hallucinations and insight were analyzed. Patients were able to provide information about beliefs and feelings about taking medication and about insight toward illness and treatment. Attitudes varied, and both strongly positive and strongly negative beliefs about taking medication were held simultaneously. Some of the implications for nursing are explained.

Qualitative inquiry into motivators for maintaining medication adherence among Taiwanese with schizophrenia

“…Some studies have mentioned that persons with schizophrenia expressed that they took their medication because they felt forced to by their family or to please their family (Davidhizar et al . ; Roe et al . ).…”

“…Donohoe (2006) and Pinikahana et al (2002) also showed that the level and nature of family involvement is generally associated with positive outcomes in treatment adherence. Some studies have mentioned that persons with schizophrenia expressed that they took their medication because they felt forced to by their family or to please their family (Davidhizar et al 1986;Roe et al 2009). In the present study, the participants expressed that they were motivated to maintain medication due to their family support, which they described as being accepting and caring.…”

Preconditions for and consequences of self‐determination: the psychiatric patient’s point of view

“…However, different patient groups appear to get insufficient answers. One such group is represented by psychiatric patients ( Davidhizar et al . 1986 , Hansson 1989), although it has been called into question whether psychiatric patients are capable of understanding the information they receive and whether that information actually serves to increase rather than relieve their anxiety ( Brown et al .…”

Atypical neuroleptics: autonomy and compliance?

“…Rating scales may help in establishing a baseline of the patient's knowledge and attitudes. Assessment tools include`Knowledge of Medication' (Davidhizar & McBride 1985) and`Attitude Toward Medication' (Davidhizar et al 1986). In order to customize the nursing approach a compliance-orientated history can be established (Cameron 1996).…”