Medication adherence and significant others' support of consumers with schizophrenia in Australia

Medication adherence is problematic in people with chronic illness. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the effects of the perceived support from significant others on the oral antipsychotic medication taking of consumers with schizophrenia. A convenience sample of 81 consumers took part in the study. The consumers were recruited by case managers from the community in the western region of Melbourne and in regional and rural Victoria, Australia. No difference was found in self-reported medication adherence between the consumers with significant others' support and those without significant others' support. The perceived effect of having a supportive relationship with significant others was not associated with increased medication adherence. The findings indicated that the significant others' support did not influence the self-reported medication adherence of the consumers with schizophrenia. The results highlighted the importance of considering medication adherence as a multidimensional concept.