The Impact of Family Environment on Treatment Adherence Among Individuals with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder which is treated over a long period of time involving medication and psychotherapy. One of the issues is treatment adherence, in which family environment is vital in affecting adherence behaviors. It is considered that family dynamics play a significant role in influencing the willingness of patients to adhere to treatment regimens due to the influence of such variables as emotional support, communication, and conflict.

Aim: The goal of the study is to explore how the family environment influences adherence to treatment in schizophrenics.

Procedure: The study design was a cross-sectional study that involved 200 patients with schizophrenia. The sample used was conducted in the Karachi’s urban and rural psychiatric hospitals and outpatient clinics. The Family Environment Scale (FES) was used to measure family environment and Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) was used to measure medication adherence. The correlation and regression were used in analyzing data.

Findings: The research discovered that emotional support (r = 0.55) and family cohesion (r = 0.48) had significant positive relationships with treatment adherence. Family conflict (r = -0.33) and family control (-0.25) were of negative relationship with adherence. Regression analysis indicated that emotional support and family cohesion were the most predictors of adherence (0.35 and 0.30, respectively).

Conclusion: The family environment can have a great impact on the treatment adherence of schizophrenic patients. Emotional support and familial cohesion play a very important role in enhancing adherence whereas family conflict and control inhibit the same. To enhance results, family-based interventions should be incorporated into the treatment plans.