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Mon, Sep 1, 2025
Accepted article
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1- University Babylon
Abstract: (13 Views)
Objectives: Treatment adherence in patients with psychosis is critical to treatment effectiveness, but stigma toward caregivers may negatively impact adherence. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of mental health culture between caregiver stigma and treatment adherence in patients with psychosis.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a psychiatric center in Baghdad, Iraq, involving 150 primary caregivers of patients with psychotic disorders. Data were collected using validated Arabic versions of the Mental Health Literacy Scale, Medication Adherence Rating Scale, and Caregivers’ Perceived Stigma Scale. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analysis.
Results: Significant negative correlations were found between stigma and both mental health literacy (r= -0.48, p < 0.01) and medication adherence (r= -0.52, p< 0.01). Mental health literacy positively correlated with medication adherence (r=0.58, p< 0.01). Regression analysis identified mental health literacy as a strong positive predictor (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and stigma as a negative predictor (β= -0.41, p< 0.001) of adherence. Mediation analysis confirmed that mental health literacy partially mediates the stigma-adherence relationship (indirect effect B= -0.20, p< 0.001).
Conclusions: Improving mental health literacy among caregivers reduces the harmful effects of stigma on medication adherence. Targeted psychoeducational interventions are recommended to improve caregivers' knowledge and support adherence to the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a psychiatric center in Baghdad, Iraq, involving 150 primary caregivers of patients with psychotic disorders. Data were collected using validated Arabic versions of the Mental Health Literacy Scale, Medication Adherence Rating Scale, and Caregivers’ Perceived Stigma Scale. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analysis.
Results: Significant negative correlations were found between stigma and both mental health literacy (r= -0.48, p < 0.01) and medication adherence (r= -0.52, p< 0.01). Mental health literacy positively correlated with medication adherence (r=0.58, p< 0.01). Regression analysis identified mental health literacy as a strong positive predictor (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and stigma as a negative predictor (β= -0.41, p< 0.001) of adherence. Mediation analysis confirmed that mental health literacy partially mediates the stigma-adherence relationship (indirect effect B= -0.20, p< 0.001).
Conclusions: Improving mental health literacy among caregivers reduces the harmful effects of stigma on medication adherence. Targeted psychoeducational interventions are recommended to improve caregivers' knowledge and support adherence to the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders.
Keywords: Mental Health Literacy, Caregiver Stigma, Treatment Adherence, Psychotic Illnesses, Psychoeducation
Article type: Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Nursing
Received: 2025/08/18 | Accepted: 2025/08/30
Received: 2025/08/18 | Accepted: 2025/08/30
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