PURPOSE: Studies have suggested that appraisal of relapse risk and knowledge of medications in relapse prevention may shape one's reactions towards an illness and treatment, and influence the illness outcome. The aim of this study is to explore patients' and caregivers' knowledge of medications, perceived chances of relapse and its predictors, as well as their relations with medication adherence. METHODS: Eighty patient-caregiver dyads participated in the study. Their knowledge about psychosis, specific knowledge about medications and course of illness of their own and their relatives, medication adherence and symptomatology of patients were assessed. Differences in knowledge between patients and caregivers were compared. The link between adherence with perceived relapse risk and consequences of stopping medication were explored. Multinomial regression analyses were performed to examine predictors of perceived relapse risk. RESULTS: More patients underestimated their chance of relapse and were unaware that stopping medication may lead to relapse. The lack of understanding about the effect of stopping medication of both caregivers and patients was related to poor medication adherence of patients. Patients perceived of having higher chance of relapse had more severe positive symptoms. Positive symptoms of patients and greater knowledge about psychosis of caregivers were related to higher caregivers' perceived relapse risk of their relative. CONCLUSIONS: This study explored the views of patients and their caregivers on the perceived risk of relapse and role of medication in preventing relapse, and the potential significance. Specific interventions addressing these areas should be considered in developing relapse prevention programs.
PURPOSE: Studies have suggested that appraisal of relapse risk and knowledge of medications in relapse prevention may shape one's reactions towards an illness and treatment, and influence the illness outcome. The aim of this study is to explore patients' and caregivers' knowledge of medications, perceived chances of relapse and its predictors, as well as their relations with medication adherence. METHODS: Eighty patient-caregiver dyads participated in the study. Their knowledge about psychosis, specific knowledge about medications and course of illness of their own and their relatives, medication adherence and symptomatology of patients were assessed. Differences in knowledge between patients and caregivers were compared. The link between adherence with perceived relapse risk and consequences of stopping medication were explored. Multinomial regression analyses were performed to examine predictors of perceived relapse risk. RESULTS: More patients underestimated their chance of relapse and were unaware that stopping medication may lead to relapse. The lack of understanding about the effect of stopping medication of both caregivers and patients was related to poor medication adherence of patients. Patients perceived of having higher chance of relapse had more severe positive symptoms. Positive symptoms of patients and greater knowledge about psychosis of caregivers were related to higher caregivers' perceived relapse risk of their relative. CONCLUSIONS: This study explored the views of patients and their caregivers on the perceived risk of relapse and role of medication in preventing relapse, and the potential significance. Specific interventions addressing these areas should be considered in developing relapse prevention programs.
Authors: Olli Kampman; Pekka Laippala; Juha Väänänen; Elina Koivisto; Päivi Kiviniemi; Nina Kilkku; Klaus Lehtinen Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2002-05-15 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Sherry K W Chan; Samson Tse; Harrison Long Tin Sit; Christy L M Hui; Edwin H M Lee; Wing C Chang; Eric Y H Chen Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2016-12-26
Authors: Wei Jie Ong; Shazana Shahwan; Chong Min Janrius Goh; Gregory Tee Hng Tan; Siow Ann Chong; Mythily Subramaniam Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2020-10-30