Factors Affecting Medication Adherence in Children Receiving Outpatient Pharmacotherapy and Parental Adherence

PROBLEM: Although pharmacotherapy is an effective treatment for many psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, medication adherence rates among children are low. This study clarifies factors affecting children's medication adherence and the role of parental involvement. METHOD: Patients aged 7-17 years with a history of psychotropic medication treatment and their mothers were included in this study. Each mother and child completed self-administered questionnaires. Thirty mother-child pairs who fully completed the questionnaires were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Medication adherence was greater in children and mothers when mothers felt that children's symptoms improved with treatment and medication. Medication adherence in children and mothers significantly correlated with the child's reported trust in their parent. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the need for psychosocial support that considers the influence of mothers on medication adherence in children treated in child psychiatry departments.