Clinical Psychology

T A B L E 17-2 Summary of Findings Relating Disease Characteristics, Personal Characteristics
of the Patient, Environmental Factors, and Practitioner–Patient Interaction
Factors to Adherence

Findings

I. Disease Characteristics

A. Severity of illness

Illness interferes with appearance Increases compliance

Review of many disorders No relationship

Patients’perception of severity Strongly related to compliance

Pain with the illness Increases compliance

B. Side effects of medication

Unpleasant side effects with HIV drugs Decreases compliance

C. Complex treatment procedures

Increasing number of doses Decreases compliance

II. Personal Factors

A. Increasing age
Adults
Aging Curvilinear relationship
Older ages Decreases compliance
Adolescents
Growing older Decreases compliance

B. Gender

Keeping medical appointments Men and women equal

Taking medication Men and women equal

Eating a healthy diet Women more compliant

C. Personality patterns

Noncompliant personality Situation, not personality,

influences adherence

D. Emotional factors

Stressful life events Decrease compliance

Conscientiousness Increases compliance

Depression Decreases compliance

Optimism Increases compliance

E. Personal beliefs

Self-efficacy Increases compliance

Belief in treatment effectiveness Increases compliance

No confidence in treatment Decreases compliance

Feelings of control Increases compliance

504 CHAPTER 17