The Role of Family Support in Medication Adherence Among People with Mental Disorders
Abstract
Introduction: Medication adherence is a critical factor in the management of mental disorders, yet many patients struggle to consistently follow prescribed treatment regimens. Family support plays an essential role in influencing medication adherence, especially for individuals with mental health conditions. Understanding the relationship between family support and medication adherence can inform strategies to improve patient outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to explore the role of family support in enhancing medication adherence among people with mental disorders, with a focus on psychiatric patients at public health center. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 30 patients diagnosed with mental disorders who were receiving treatment at Public Health Center Cipeundeuy, West Java, Indonesia. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing family support, medication adherence, and socio-demographic characteristics. The Family Support Scale (FSS) and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8 (MMAS-8) were used to evaluate the extent of family support and adherence to medication. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Among the participants, 60% reported receiving good family support. Regarding medication adherence, 20% of patients had high adherence, 46.7% had moderate adherence, and the remaining patients exhibited low adherence. Notably, a significant proportion of patients with low adherence were from the group that received poor family support. The Kolmogorov- test confirmed a statistically significant relationship between family support and medication adherence (p-value < 0.05).Conclusion: Family support plays a significant role in improving medication adherence among people with mental disorders. Strengthening family involvement in treatment and providing targeted support can enhance adherence rates, leading to better mental health outcomes. Future research should focus on developing interventions that encourage family participation in the management of mental disorders.
Keywords: medication adherence, family support, mental disorders
