Determination of the relationship between health anxiety, internalized stigma and medication compliance in outpatients

A descriptive and correlational research was conducted with 286 psychiatric patients receiving outpatient treatment in order to determine the relationship between health anxiety and internalized stigma perception with medication adherence. Data were collected using the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, Health Anxiety Scale, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, median, percentage distributions),nonparametric tests and correlation tests were used in data analysis. According to the research findings, the total score of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale was calculated as 60.65±15.32 and the total score of health anxiety was 20.46±9.33. Medication adherence was found to be high in 33%, moderate in 52% of the patients. Correlation analysis revealed positive significant relationships between the subscales and total mean scores of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale and the mean scores of health anxiety, and a negative significant relationship between the resilience to stigma subscale and health anxiety (p<0.05). When the sociodemographic characteristics of patients were examined, it was determined that those under 40 years of age, divorced, not employed in a paid job, and with low medication adherence had higher levels of internalized stigma. Additionally, it was found that the health anxiety levels of those who were divorced and not employed in a paid job were higher than the other groups (p<0.05). Psychiatric nurses have an important role in reducing the stigma and anxiety experienced by patients and increasing their compliance with treatment. For this reason, patients should take an active role in the practices that will support them in their recovery and rehabilitation process.