Title Page: Good medical adherence according to having meaning in life among Thai schizophrenic patients 

Abstract

BackgroundThe narrative model was used to search for meaning in life, and to change the meaning of the illness for the taking of medication. This study aimed to explore medication adherence, meaning in life, and the association of medication adherence and meaning in life. MethodsThis cross-sectional study explored all Thai schizophrenic outpatients that followed up at the Psychiatric outpatient clinic, Songklanagarind Hospital. Three questionnaires were used:1) Demographic information 2) Medication adherence questionnaire 3) The meaning in life questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated using proportions, median and inter-quartile range (IQR) or mean and standard deviation (S.D.). ResultsAccording to the study period, there were 110 respondents. Most of them (94.5%) came to regular follow-ups by doctors’ appointments. The majority of them were male (56.4%), single (76.4%), and Buddhist (82.7%). According to the medication adherence questionnaire, all participants (100%) had good medication adherence scores. Concerning meaning in life, most of the participants had high scores in all subparts of meaning in life. As a result, an attempt to indicate the association between good or poor medication adherence and meaning in life could not be established in this study. ConclusionsMost schizophrenic patients had good medication adherence as well as meaning in life. Thus, the narrative model helps patients to search for meaning in life; meaning in taking medications that decrease negative medication attitudes and change the meaning of the illness. Moreover, schizophrenia does not cause them suffering and it enables them to accept it as part of life.