Determinants of anti-psychotic medication compliance in a multicultural population

The efficacy of medication in controlling or ameliorating symptoms of psychotic conditions is well established in clinical trials, but medication effectiveness in mental health services is considerably affected by the extent to which clients actually comply to their prescribed medication. This study aimed to assess the relative influence of demographic, medication, social support and relationship variables on perceived compliance with medication in a sample of clients with serious mental illness from diverse ethnic backgrounds. It also aimed to explore whether compliance differed by matching clients with a case manager from the same ethno-linguistic background. Data on medication compliance, administration route, medication dose, sex, age, impairment of thought processes, mood abnormality, ability to manage money, acceptance of illness (insight), social network size, alcohol and drug use, impulse control, and cooperation with staff were provided by case managers for 168 clients from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the predictors of medication compliance. The main predictors of greater compliance were greater general cooperation with staff, better insight, and matching clients with a case manager from the same ethnic background.