Lived experiences of adults’ non-compliance with psychiatric medication for depression

Abstract

Background: Non-compliance with psychiatric medication among patients diagnosed with depression ranges from 28% to 52% exacerbating illness and reducing treatment effectiveness. There is a paucity of research on medication non-compliance and its causes in South Africa and globally, and an urgent need to develop appropriate interventions.

Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of adults living with depression who are non-compliant with their psychiatric medication and formulate recommendations to facilitate their medication compliance.

Setting: The study was conducted in a psychiatric ward at a public hospital in Gauteng, South Africa.

Methods: The study employed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design. Ten adults’ lived experiences were explored using in-depth individual interviews, and Tech’s coding method was used to analyse data.

Results: Two themes emerged from the data: adults living with major depression offered several reasons for non-compliance, and adults living with major depression experienced non-compliance, which created a setback to their recovery.

Conclusion: Non-compliance with medication is a common challenge among adults receiving mental health care and treatment. Ensuring compliance to medication is crucial for improving the prognosis of psychiatric conditions. Therefore, it is essential for healthcare practitioners in the field of psychiatry to have a comprehensive understanding of medication compliance and to effectively address any challenges that may arise in this area.

Contribution: This paper contributes to the research field and adds knowledge to clinical nursing practice by exploring adults’ experiences with non-compliance to psychiatric medications while living with depression in the South African context.