Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Family support predicts psychiatric medication usage among Mexican American individuals with schizophrenia
Jorge I Ramírez García1, Christina L Chang, Joshua S Young
1Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 603. E. Daniel Street, Champaign, IL 61820, USA. jramirez@uiuc.edu
Background:
Support provided by family caregivers to persons with schizophrenia is a viable intervention focus to improve psychiatric medication usage. However, little is known about the relation between medication usage and family support as well as other key caregiving factors.
Method:
Family support and Expressed Emotion (EE) dimensions were tested as predictors of medication usage during a 9-month period following psychiatric hospital discharge in a sample of 30 individuals of Mexican descent with schizophrenia.
Results:
Family instrumental support predicted higher medication usage (Odds Ratio = 4.8) in multivariate analyses that statistically adjusted for the impact of emotional support, family EE, and psychiatric status (e.g., positive symptoms) on medication usage.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest that efforts to improve medication usage among Mexican American individuals with schizophrenia should take into account social supportive factors such as instrumental or directive, hands-on assistance from family caregivers.
Related Concept Videos
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
