The relationship between insight, quality of life andmetacognition with medication adherence in patientswith schizophrenia

Aim: Medication non-adherence is frequently encountered in patients with schizophrenia. The patient's insight, quality of life and metacognition level affect medication adherence, and medication adherence also affects these conditions. We compared insight, quality of life, and metacognition in patients with and without medication adherence. Material and Method: In this study of 84 patients with schizophrenia, Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, Quality of Life Scale for Patients with Schizophrenia, Schedule for Assesing the Three Components of Insight, Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, Metacognition Questionnaire, Drug Attitude Inventory-10 were used. The relationships between the study groups and scale scores were evaluated by statistical methods. Results: Non-adherence patients had higher symptom intensity, while adherence patients had higher quality of life and insight. Symptom severity and quality of life were more negatively correlated with non-adherent patients. Without medication adherence, insight was positively correlated with quality of life and metacognition more than with adherence. Conclusion: In schizophrenia patients, medication adherence was positively associated with insight, quality of life, and metacognition and negatively associated with symptom severity. Our study highlights the potential benefits of insightenhancing interventions on medication adherence and quality of life, contrary to previous research. This study is the first known study in the literature to examine the effects of medication adherence on insight, quality of life and metacognition. Therefore, supporting our data with new studies with a higher number of cases will increase the contribution to this field. Keywords: Insight, Quality Of Life, Metacognition, Drug Adherence, Schizophrenia