[Family adherence in serious mental disorder]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Family Studies
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Severe mental disorders significantly impact patients and their families.
• Family involvement is critical for effective treatment adherence and patient outcomes.
• Understanding family dynamics in treatment is essential for developing supportive interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize family attitudes and behaviors demonstrating adherence to treatment in patients with severe mental disorder.
• To explore the multifaceted nature of family adherence within the context of severe mental illness.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study employing an interpretative social approach.
• Conducted in Chia, Colombia, involving 12 mental health professionals (psychiatry, nursing, psychology).
• Utilized semi-structured interviews, constant comparison, open coding (grounded theory), and triangulation for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Defined two categories of family adherence: 'family and treatment' (cooperation, knowledge, attention to evolution) and 'family attitudes towards the patient' (care, autonomy promotion, affective attachment).
• Identified factors diminishing adherence, including information gaps/distortion about mental disorders and patient/family endurance.
• Highlighted family adherence as active participation and a relationship-strengthening process.

Conclusions:

• Family adherence is a relevant construct encompassing behaviors and attitudes toward severe mental disorder treatment.
• Effective family adherence actively involves families, strengthens relationships, and alleviates suffering for all involved.
• Recognizing and supporting family adherence is vital for improving care for individuals with severe mental disorders.