Variables affecting compliance with treatment of post-hospitalized patients with chronic mental illness.

The subjects in this study were 33 patients aged 18 to 60 years who were first admitted to an outpatient mental health department in a 1-year period and were known to have had two or more hospitalizations in State or private psychiatric institutions in the 2 years before intake. The relationships between four patient variables and compliance with recommended treatment were studied. The four variables were (a) severity of psychopathology at intake, (b) evidence of negative communication in a patient's family concerning mental illness and its treatment, (c) degree of social isolation, and (d) use of the health center for treatment of nonpsychiatric medical problems.Using the z test, a significant positive relationship was found between compliance with recommended treatment and the usage of the health center for other medical problems. Presence of negative communication from family and nonadherence to recommended treatment were correlated positively. Living with others significant to the patient did not affect compliance with treatment. Compliance was measured by dividing the patients into those keeping or not keeping 50 percent of appointments with therapists.